A study by Women in Sport reveals that many teenage girls are losing interest in physical activity due to body image concerns, puberty, and fear of judgement. The charity surveyed 4,000 teenagers and found that half disliked being watched while exercising, and seven in ten avoided sport during their period.
The research debunks the myth that girls simply change priorities, instead attributing the decline to deep-rooted gender stereotypes. One girl noted that unisex PE kits, designed for boys, do not fit girls with wider hips during puberty, making them feel uncomfortable and vulnerable.
Other barriers include feeling self-conscious in gym wear, not having the 'right body shape', and disliking becoming hot and sweaty. Many girls also felt that sport became too competitive, discouraging participation for fun.
Women in Sport chief executive Stephanie Hilborne called the trend an 'absolute travesty', urging sectors to reverse it. Sport England's This Girl Can campaign has launched Studio You, a free video library of workouts for teenage girls, to help build healthy habits and challenge stereotypes.
