Wales has one of the lowest levels of physical activity among children, says an Assembly committee.

The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee's inquiry into 'Physical Activity of Children and Young People' says the country is facing a national crisis in terms of children's health.

Latest figures show an increase in the number of obese four to five-year-olds over the last two years - with more than a quarter of children in the same age bracket now overweight or obese.

1 in 4 four to five-year-old s are now overweight or obese.

Children who are delayed in Fundamental Motor Skills are less likely to be physically active now and in future.

The committee is concerned there is a common misconception that Fundamental Motor Skills will develop naturally in childhood.

Dr Nalda Wainwright, Director of the Wales Institute for Physical Literacy, at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David says children should be taught to exercise in the same way they are taught to read:

There's been such a misconception in the world of academia around motor development-suggesting children learn that by themselves through play. But that's like chucking a bag of letters in the room and saying, 'Play with it enough and you'll learn to read', and teachers go, 'That's ridiculous'. It's the same thing. So, we really need to plug this knowledge gap with our teachers and that's what we've been doing, and rolling it out. Dr Nalda Wainwright

Schools have a role to play in getting children and young people to be more physically active but there are fears it may be squeezed out due to curriculum pressures.

Many are falling short of providing the recommended 120 minutes a week for physical education:

In order to provide extra time for numeracy or literacy, schools are saying, 'Well, something's got to go to give us that time, so we'll take a bit out of PE, we'll take a bit out of dance, we'll take a bit out of music' or whatever it is. Tim Pratt, from the Association of School and College Leaders

The Committee is calling on the Welsh Government to ensure delivery of motor skills at an early stage in school through the new curriculum as well as making 120 minutes of physical activity in schools a legal requirement.

The report will now be considered by the Welsh Government.