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Astonishing statistics were revealed at the end of 2007 which reported a staggering 25% of boys and 33% of girls aged between 2 and 19 years of age were considered overweight or obese with little sign of this trend slowing down. Aside from the fact this is costing the UK over £2 billion and shortening lives by up to nine years, some health experts are predicting parents will be outliving their children, a shocking thought! With the average weight of adults creeping up and obesity on the increase, parents are becoming more and more desensitised to the fact their children are obese and fail to recognise the signs leading up to this.
Even if the stereotypical poor diet is dealt with, exercise is key to burning of excess calories taken in from unhealthy snacks and drinks. However, the days when children were entertained by playing outside are a thing of the past, as television and computer games are chosen in lieu of outdoor activities. How do parents battle to promote exercise and banish the static lifestyle society is fighting so hard to throw off? One student from Brunel University, London has created a concept which provides a possible solution to this problem
Gillian Swan, a final year student, is the brain behind the shoe innersole branded "Square Eyes" which is formed of two components. The first button is a pedometer attached to a specially made innersole which records the number of steps taken by the child. The second button within the shoe transmits this information to a base station which is connected to their TV. These recordings taken by the innersoles then control the amount of TV viewing for that day, so if the exercise increases, so does the length of time watching their favourite programs, up to a maximum of two hours! The concept has already been heralded as "the ultimate incentive to get kids exercising".
Most pedometers available on the high street are set to a standard 10,000 steps per day but Square Eyes is targeted at 12,000 steps for girls and 15,000 for boys which apparently is "easily achievable for more active children" according to it's creator Gillian. Not only is the product aimed at increasing exercise amongst children but it is hoped that the product will have a knock on effect within wearers' families. The product will certainly highlight those with a more sedentary lifestyle and therefore encourage parents to follow their children's' example and get off the sofa too!
Regards
Emma Graham
Editor
DL: 01622 699135
E: footweartoday@datateam.co.uk
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