Exercise? It's child's play

Last updated at 11:20 26 April 2004


Children should exercise five times a week to minimise the risk of an early death and set good habits for later life, according to a new Government report.

The paper - due to be released later this week - sets out a "magic figure" of between 45 minutes and one hour to tackle potential health problems.

It comes amid a climate of continuing anxiety over the growing problem of obesity particularly among children.

The Government has already set out its stall on better eating with the "five times a day" mantra for recommended fruit and vegetable intake.

Future health risks

But this is the first time the Government has taken an official view on how people should exercise to avoid future health risks.

Adults are also included in the advice, with a lower "magic figure" of half an hour's physical

exertion recommended, again five times a week.

Sir Liam Donaldson, the Chief Medical Officer, is to say that regular exercise could halve the risk of heart disease or a stroke later in life and cut the risk of dying by a third.

Among the recommended activities for children are walking to school, enjoying regular bicycle rides, and playing outside in the evenings.

Domestic activities

For adults, exercise could include sports such as tennis as well as more domestic activities including vacuuming, energetic gardening, and walking upstairs.

A spokesman for the Department of Health said: "Most people now know that having an unhealthy diet or smoking is bad for you, but this research shows physical exercise is equally important to health.

"Children also need to build up their bone density. But it could be just walking to school or cycling to school, or running around the playground at breaktime. It doesn't have to be formal."

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