YOURLIFE

With research telling us only one in 30 children are as active as they should be, asks the experts how we can encourage families to move more

BEING active as a kid should be child’s play.

But a study from Exeter and Plymouth universities tracked 807 primary school children’s activity for a week and the results made for worrying reading.

Only one in 30 children did the recommended hour of exercise each day.

Terry Austin, physiologist and head of school wellbeing at Nuffield Health, says the research highlights a concerning trend. “Current recommendations are for children to do at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. This promotes better general health, stronger bones and muscles and higher levels of self-esteem,” he says.

“This should include moderate activity, such as cycling and playground games, and more vigorous exercise including running and team sports.”

Here’s how to get kids moving: