Kids in Fukushima are less strong and more prone to obesity

October 25, 2013

Fukushima children's strength declining

http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/english/news/20131025_13.html

Children in nuclear disaster-hit Fukushima Prefecture are showing reduced physical strength due to prolonged restrictions on outdoor activities.

The prefectural government says that following the March 2011 nuclear accident, 465 public schools restricted their students' outdoor activities, fearing radiation exposure. The number accounts for around 60 percent of all government-run schools in the prefecture.

Many cut gym classes on school grounds or shortened outdoor recess periods.

But a recent survey found that nearly 90 percent of the schools had lifted all such restrictions.

Prefectural officials say progress in decontamination work and increasing support among parents has led to lifting the restrictions.

But a nationwide assessment of children's physical strength conducted by the education ministry last year showed that elementary school pupils in Fukushima scored lower in all categories than in pre-disaster tests.

Another survey found that the obesity ratio for Fukushima children is higher than the national average in almost all age brackets.

The officials point out that some parents are still concerned about exposure to radiation and feel reluctant to let their children play outdoors.

They are working to address these concerns and are stepping up efforts to improve children's physical strength.