New research suggests school PE lessons are putting girls off exercise for life, with many claiming they feel self-conscious or do not enjoy the activities on offer.

A study by the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF) found 51 per cent of young women are put off physical exertion due to their experiences at school, according to the Irish Independent.

WSFF chief executive Sue Tibballs said: "Our research shows that PE and school sport is actually putting the majority of girls off being active, even though three-quarters of girls are keen to do more exercise."

Around a quarter of girls claimed they feel their body is on show in PE, which makes them like the subject less, while 76 per cent agreed they are self-conscious during the lessons.

The findings come after education consultant Nicky Hutchinson told the Guardian that by the age of ten, around a third of girls and 22 per cent of boys claim how their bodies look is their number one worry.

Written by Donal Walsh

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