How much exercise should my child do?

Most children are naturally active and full of energy. However, changes in lifestyle, such as playing on computer games and watching TV, means that many children don't get the exercise they need.

It's now recommended that children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day. It doesn't have to be all in one go; it can be in chunks of about 15-20 minutes throughout the day. The exercise should be of moderate intensity, which means your child should be slightly out of breath and slightly sweaty, but not so out of breath that they can't talk. This amount of exercise a day is enough to strengthen bones and muscles and can help prevent children putting on weight.

There are lots of different ways for children to exercise. Simply walking or cycling to school is a good way to start. Team sports can also be great fun. Most community sports centers run team sports activities for children, such as football, basketball and volleyball - phone your local center for more information.

For children who don't like team sports, there are plenty of other fun activities to try, such as swimming, dance and martial arts.