Girls not enjoying PE as much as boys because of periods and low body confidence

The number of girls who say they enjoy physical education in school has dropped over the past six years, a report suggests.

Less than two thirds (64%) of female pupils in England said they liked taking part in PE lessons compared with 86% of male pupils, in a survey by the Youth Sport Trust charity.

This is down from the results of a similar survey in the 2016/17 academic year, when 74% of girls said they enjoyed PE.

But the enjoyment level of their male peers has remained broadly consistent, according to the Youth Sport Trust.

Girls identified a number of barriers to being active in school – including not feeling confident, having their period, not liking being watched by others, and worrying about their appearance.

This is particularly the case in secondary schools, where only 59% out of the 18,500 girls – aged between seven and 18 – said they enjoyed PE.

Olympic pole vault bronze medallist Holly Bradshaw said the results are disappointing – but not surprising.

“I can really empathise with their worries about being watched and judged by others. I too have struggled with body confidence issues whilst competing for Team GB, particularly after facing online abuse in relation to my body shape,” she said.

The Youth Sport Trust, which carries out the survey annually, suggested over a third (35%) of female secondary school pupils believe offering better options for a PE kit would help them feel more comfortable when they have their period.

Ali Oliver, chief executive of the charity, said: “Not only should this research raise alarm bells about future adult activity levels and the consequences of this, but it is devastating for the physical and mental health of young women today.

“At a time of unprecedented low levels of social and emotional wellbeing, we know getting things right for girls in PE can be life-changing.”

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In March, the government said it would tell schools they must deliver at least two hours of PE each week, with those providing equal opportunities for girls and boys being rewarded.

It pledged over £600m in funding over the next two academic years to help improve the quality of PE and sports.

A Department for Education spokeswoman said: “Building on an inspirational summer of British sport, including the success of the Lionesses in this year’s Women’s World Cup, we want to ensure all children have the opportunities to follow in their sporting heroes’ footsteps.”

She added an extra £57m is supporting schools to open up more sport facilities outside of school hours – with the fund targeted at girls, disadvantaged pupils and pupils with special educational needs.

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