Attack of the nanny state: Now toddlers must do at least three hours of exercise every day



Sit down less and get 75 minutes of 'vigorous activity' every week, adults urged



Toddlers are to be prescribed at least three hours of exercise a day as part of a government anti-obesity drive.

From today, parents will also be told that under-fives should be made to walk for at least 15 minutes during routine journeys, such as trips to nursery or the shops.

The guidelines called 'Start Active, Stay Active' extend to those too young to walk, with babies expected to swim and play on ‘baby gym’ activity mats.

Exercise: Babies must be active for a minimum of three hours every day, new government guidelines warn

The advice comes amid growing concern about childhood obesity, with almost a quarter of boys and girls already overweight by the time they start school.

Experts predict that by 2050 almost two-thirds of children could be too heavy for their height, and British children have been shown in studies to be among the laziest in the world, with most pre-schoolers only spending between two and two-and-a-half hours a day being active.

However, the guidance, which will also include recommendations for older children and adults, is bound to lead to accusations of nanny-state meddling.

The advice was issued by England’s chief medical officer Professor Dame Sally Davies and her counterparts across Britain.

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It follows research linking early exercise to physical and mental health, and aims to get children out of car seats and buggies and onto their feet.

It will say that children under five ‘should spend as little time as possible being restrained or sitting, except when they are sleeping’.

The guidelines

Dame Sally said that once a child can walk, they should be physically active for at least three hours a day.

Suggested activities include running, playing chase, swimming, skipping, riding a bike and scaling a climbing frame. Babies should stretch and roll on activity mats and be taken swimming.

‘There is considerable international evidence that letting children crawl, play or roll around on the floor is essential during early years,’ Dame Sally said.

‘Play that allows under-fives to move around is critical and three hours a day is essential. I think there are parents who are not aware how important it is for their children to be physically active.



'Other parents are very busy and may not see how important it is to get that prioritisation and balance right.

‘This matters to your child now, to their development through childhood and adolescence and to their disease profile in middle-age and later life.’



Some experts questioned whether the guidelines will be able to make a difference.

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Professor David Haslam, a GP and chairman of the National Obesity Forum, said: ‘It is a little bit naïve to come up with guidelines when what is needed is safer streets and more parks and more availability for exercise for toddlers.’

The Children’s Society added that other government policies, including welfare reforms and spending cuts, would make it harder for parents to pay for things such as swimming classes.

The new guidelines also include a new section covering the over-65s.



Like younger adults, they are advised to perform 150 minutes of moderate activity each week and spend at least two sessions improving muscle strength.

However, it says they should also incorporate activities to help improve balance and co-ordination twice a week.



The report emphasises the need to be active every day and the need to reduce the amount of time sitting down.



It also highlights the benefits of vigorous activity such as jogging or taking part in aerobics classes - ideally up to 75 minutes a week.

