Playing outdoors 'good for kids'

Spending more time outdoors in a garden or parkland could help reduce children's risk of allergies, experts suggest.

According to Allergy UK, running around outside, climbing trees, playing in dirt and helping plant and maintain the garden strengthens the immune system, particularly in young kids.

Muriel Simmons, chief executive of the national medical charity, said: "It's a good thing for children to live and play as naturally as possible.

"Kiddies that spend most of their time in front of the television, playing Game Boys, all that kind of thing, they are more prone to getting allergies because their immune system hasn't been challenged in any way."

Statistics from Asthma UK reveal that 1.1 million children in the UK are receiving treatment for the respiratory condition.

What is more, nutritional experts advise that getting children involved in growing their own fruits and vegetables will encourage them to try a wider variety of fresh foods.

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