Obesity levels in the UK are increasing at over twice the rate of most other European countries, with more than 1 in 5 boys and 1 in 4 girls now classed as overweight or obese.
The Department of Health recommends that children take an average of around 13,000 steps per day, to guarantee enough exercise to avoid the threat of obesity and diseases such as diabetes and osteoporosis.
What easier way to meet this target than by walking to school?
For longer journeys cycling is also an active alternative as research suggests that regular cyclists have fitness levels of someone around 10 years younger.
Even getting off the bus one stop early or parking 500 metres away from school and walking the rest of the way gives little legs a bit more vital exercise each morning.
Travelling to and from school doesn’t have to be a boring and stressful routine, it could easily be transformed into an exercise routine for both parents and children by thinking about travel as an opportunity to get fit.
Contact us
School Travel Advisor
Road Safety and School Travel Awareness Team
Civic Centre
Hounslow
TW3 4DN
Tel: 020 8583 5037
E-mail: sta@hounslow.gov.uk