School uniforms 'stop kids getting enough exercise' say scientists

Researchers say schools should 'consider redesigning uniforms' to encourage physical activity in children

In the UK it's common for schools to adopt kids wearing school uniforms as a policy, but now scientists are calling for changes after suggesting that they could be causing harm to pupils who wear them.

While there's no law in the UK that schools have to follow when it comes to students wearing uniform, over 90% of schools in the UK do have a uniform policy in place, meaning that children who attend are expected to wear matching clothing, often sporting the school's logo.

However, scientists at the University of Cambridge have now suggested that where schools require uniforms, fewer pupils do the hour of moderate-intensity exercise recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO).

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The study looked at the physical activity of 1.1million five-to-17-year-olds internationally, and newly collected data on how common school uniforms were in these countries.

It found that in three-quarters of countries where uniform-wearing was the norm, the average of all students who met the exercise recommendation was 16%. But, this rose to 9.5% in countries where uniforms were less common.

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'Girls are more affected than boys'

In their findings, researchers discovered that girls are more affected than boys because they are less comfortable getting involved in active play while wearing skirts or dresses.

The study found that there was a consistent gap between boys' and girls' activity levels, with boys 1.5 times more likely to meet WHO recommendations across all ages.

Dr Esther van Sluijs, of the Medical Research Council, said: 'Girls might feel less confident about doing things like cartwheels and tumbles in the playground, or riding a bike on a windy day, if they are wearing a skirt or dress.

'Social norms and expectations tend to influence what they feel they can do in these clothes. Unfortunately, when it comes to promoting physical health, that's a problem.'

The study found that in countries where school uniforms were less common, the gap between girls' and boys' physical activity was 5.5%, while in those where uniforms were norm, the gap was 9.8%.

'Schools should consider design'

Dr Mairead Ryan who was involved with the university's study said: 'We are not trying to suggest a blanket ban on uniforms, but to present new evidence to support decision-making.

'School communities could consider design, and whether specific characteristics of a uniform might either encourage or restrict any opportunities for physical activity across the day.

'Activities like walking or cycling to school, break time games, and after-school outdoor play can all help young people incorporate physical activity into their daily routines.

'That's why we are interested in how clothing encourages such behaviours.'

She added regular physical activity helps support children's physical and mental well-being. More active youngsters are also known to do better in class.

'Regular physical activity helps support multiple physical, mental, and well-being needs, as well as academic outcomes,' she said. 'We now need more information to build on these findings, considering factors like how long students wear their uniforms for after school, whether this varies depending on their background, and how broader gendered clothing norms may impact their activity.'

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Tackling childhood obesity

The research comes after recent NHS statistics were published suggesting that almost one in four children aged 10 and 11 in England are obese, fuelled partly by pandemic lockdowns.

Another report, by the Academy of Medical Sciences discovered that 20% of children in the UK are overweight or obese by the age of five.

But, while uniforms could be causing a decline in physical activity for some students, there could be good news for those who receive free school dinners, with a new study finding that free school meals can reduce obesity and boost reading skills.

'Schools help children to be healthy'

In response to the report about the correlation between wearing uniforms and a lack of physical activity, Sarah Hannafin, the head of policy at the school leaders’ union NAHT, said: 'Physical activity, PE and sport are an important part of the school day and curriculum for pupils. Schools do much to help ensure all pupils are healthy and physically active and break down barriers to participation, including among girls – and this includes considering the uniform choices available for children.'

How much exercise is recommended for children?

As highlighted in the report, the WHO suggests that children aged five-17 should: 'do at least an average of 60 minutes per day of moderate-to-vigorous intensity, mostly aerobic, physical activity, across the week.'

The NHS has also published guidelines on activity for children and young people, stating:

'Children and young people ages five to 18 need to do two types of physical activity a week. This includes aerobic exercise and exercises to strengthen their muscles and bones. '

• Children and young people should aim to do an average of at least one hour of moderate or vigorous intensity physical activity a day.
• They should also take part in a variety of intensities of physical activity across the week to develop movement skills, muscles and bones.
• Plus, children and young people should cut their time spent sitting or lying down and break up long periods of inactivity throughout the day.
• Moderate activity includes walking, playground activities, PE , sports like tennis and football or swimming and dance. Cycling, skateboarding and rollerblading also count.
• Activities that strengthen bones and muscles include gymnastics, football, martial arts and jumping.

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