Obstacles To Active Play Persist, According To National Survey Of Parents

PLANO, Texas, June 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- As another school year ends, American parents once again face the challenge of making sure their kids get enough daily physical activity to keep them occupied throughout the summer. Based on the results of a recent national survey of parents with children ages 3-17, that may be easier said than done.

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While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that kids have at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity, the Let's Play 2016 State of Play Survey, commissioned by Dr Pepper Snapple Group DPS, revealed that only one out of three children participates in daily active play.

There also appears to be a significant drop in daily active play when most children head off to kindergarten. Half of 4-year-olds get active daily playtime, compared to 31 percent of 5-year-olds.

What's preventing kids from getting their active play? Nearly two-thirds of respondents (64 percent) believe technology (TV, video games and other electronic devices) and busy schedules are the biggest barriers to their child's active play. And for more than half (55 percent of parents), the costs of sports equipment and participation fees can also be prohibitive.

DPS launched its Let's Play Initiative in 2011 to help tackle this play deficit. Since then, the company has partnered with national nonprofit KaBOOM! to build or improve more than 2,300 playgrounds across North America. In 2014, DPS expanded Let's Play to include a partnership with Good Sports, donating to date nearly 90,000 pieces of sports equipment to athletic, physical education and after-school programs serving primarily underprivileged youths across the U.S.

"Through Let's Play, we're working to provide more opportunities to play and instill at an early age the importance of daily physical activity," said Vicki Draughn, DPS vice president of corporate affairs. "Our latest survey reveals challenges in ensuring kids get enough play time every day, which is why we take this commitment seriously."

The 2016 State of Play Survey polled 1,002 adults ages 18 or older in the continental U.S. with at least one child between the ages of 3 and 17 years old.

For more information about Let's Play, please visit LetsPlay.com or Facebook.com/LetsPlay.

About Dr Pepper Snapple Group
Dr Pepper Snapple Group DPS is a leading producer of flavored beverages in North America and the Caribbean. Our success is fueled by more than 50 brands that are synonymous with refreshment, fun and flavor. We have six of the top 10 non-cola soft drinks, and 13 of our 14 leading brands are No. 1 or No. 2 in their flavor categories. In addition to our flagship Dr Pepper and Snapple brands, our portfolio includes 7UP, A&W, Canada Dry, Clamato, Crush, Hawaiian Punch, Mott's, Mr & Mrs T mixers, Peñafiel, Rose's, Schweppes, Squirt and Sunkist soda. To learn more about our iconic brands and Plano, Texas-based company, please visit DrPepperSnapple.com. For our latest news and updates, follow us at Facebook.com/DrPepperSnapple or Twitter.com/DrPepperSnapple.

Media Contact:
Chris Barnes
Dr Pepper Snapple Group
(972) 673-5539

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SOURCE Dr Pepper Snapple Group