Sport and poverty

Living in a disadvantaged area hampers young people’s development: area-based deprivation is strongly related to higher crime, poorer educational achievement, health problems and high levels of disability. These factors have a knock-on effect on the local environment and community spirit, with residents in poor areas experiencing roughly four times more social and environmental problems than residents in more affluent areas. Sport and outdoor physical activity can have a positive impact on young people’s lives, yet youngsters living in disadvantaged areas face many barriers to participation. Anne Power and her team talked to young people and their parents to find out more.