The Spa Life UK Convention returns from 21–23 June 2026 at Whittlebury Park Hotel, Spa &
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Jack Shakespeare, head of ukactive Kids, argues for a collective approach to beating childhood inactivity – a trend that has consequences just as serious as childhood obesity
ukactive wants equal opportunities for kids’ holiday-time activities / shutterstock
Modern life has engineered movement out of our days, and children are being hit hardest. While childhood obesity grabs the headlines, inactivity has an equally serious impact.
It’s the fourth biggest risk factor for mortality globally, yet only half of seven-year-olds are meeting the recommended guidelines of 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity a day, making today’s kids the most inactive generation ever.
We know activity habits formed in childhood carry through to adulthood, so failure to get kids moving has a devastating impact in the longer term.
Inactive children go on to become inactive adults – at risk from a multitude of preventable diseases that put pressure on the NHS.
We need to find ways to get children moving, and it must be a national priority.
The government is taking positive steps to address this issue and in January this year the Department for Education announced a new programme of research and pilots to tackle the issue of unhealthy school holidays.
These have been found to cause disproportionate harm to poorer pupils by contributing to inactivity, malnutrition and poorer academic results.
This programme is a major step, but these efforts alone will not turn the tide. This is a multi-layered issue that needs a multi-faceted response. There’s no silver bullet to reverse decades of inactivity.
Collaboration between our sector, schools and policymakers at national and local level will be vital to address the many factors that have led to a generation of inactive children.
New consultation To bring together the views of these stakeholders – each with their own expertise – ukactive has begun a consultation to offer everyone the chance to have their say on the best ways to engage children in activity.
We’re calling for evidence on what really works, from those who know – parents, teachers, activity providers, policymakers, business leaders and, of course, the children themselves.
We’ll aggregate the evidence to create a report that updates Generation Inactive (2015), offering solutions to shape policy and becoming the blueprint for a collective, evidence-based, approach.
Children’s inactivity is one of the most urgent public health challenges we face. Only by coming together can we establish solutions and I invite anyone with a stake in our children’s health to get involved.
Global Wellness Day (GWD) will mark its 15th anniversary on Saturday 13 June 2026, with the
theme: #JoyMagenta – a celebration of the healing qualities of simple gestures and activities
that spark joy.
Global luxury hospitality brand, Six Senses, has partnered with longevity healthcare provider,
HUM2N, to launch a clinic at Six Senses London, at The Whiteley.
As part of its first hotel partnership, Mayrlife – the medical health resort company known for its
site in Altaussee, Austria – has launched a day clinic at the Rosewood Vienna.
Premium London health club, KX Chelsea, will imminently unveil its most significant
redevelopment since its launch in 2002 to create an integrated wellness model combining
training, recovery and relaxation.
Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth, on the northeast coast of Saint Barthélemy in the French
West Indies, is offering a programme of ocean-inspired yoga classes between 8-14 June to
celebrate Global Wellness Day (GWD).
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package
that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
The Ritz-Carlton, Langkawi, in Malaysia, has revealed a schedule for Global Wellness Day
(GWD) that includes guided rainforest walks, mindful movement and guided coastal meditation
experiences.
Longevitix, a clinical platform for preventive and longevity medicine, has launched its AI-
powered intelligence system to help physicians deliver continuous, personalised longevity-
focused care at scale.
Atmantan Wellness Centre, an integrative wellness destination in Mulshi, near Pune in India, is
expanding its portfolio by adding a new centre in Hyderabad that will launch between 2028 and
2029.
A recent survey by the UK Spa Association (UKSA) into the industry’s approach to cancer care
has revealed that almost half of participating respondents (46 per cent) are unaware that
cancer is a disability and guests with a cancer diagnosis must be given
