London - Toddlers are to be prescribed at least three hours of exercise a day as part of a UK government anti-obesity drive.
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 extend to those too young to walk, with babies expected to swim and play on “baby gym” activity mats.
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, issued by England’s chief medical officer Professor Dame Sally Davies and her counterparts across Britain, follows research linking early exercise to physical and mental health, and aims to get children out of car seats and buggies and on to 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”.
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.
Professor David Haslam, a GP and chairman of the National Obesity Forum, said: “It is a little bit na•ve 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 GUIDELINES
Under-fives should spend less time in buggies and car seats, and walk for at least 15 minutes during routine journeys
Toddlers should do activities that make them “huff and puff” for at least three hours a day, such as running, playing chase, swimming and cycling
Babies should stretch, roll, crawl, play on mats and swim. - Daily Mail