Ok so I've agreed to go on breakfast TV tomorrow to talk about this - can you plse tell me what you think?

[JustineMumsnet]

Fewer than 3% of 11-year-olds get enough exercise, according to new study about to be published (they are sposed to get an hour a day).
Would be very grateful if you could post why you think that is, and what could help?

Justine, I am quite new to mumsnet and its v nice to see you on TV and put a face to a name!

That was a shame. Justine was great, but a bloke who used to be fat suggesting that kids are taken to the park more, didn't do much to take the debate forward!!

What concerns me most about this news report is that (with the emphasis on girls being worse) that this is just going to fuel more cases of bullimia and anorexia and not going to affect those who genuinely do need to take more notice of their diet and exercise

Interesting that several people have mentioned choosing further (because they are better) schools as something that reduces exercise. My DD's school is several miles away. As a consequence, she walks about 1/2 mile to and from the bus. So that's a one mile walk every day just to get to and from school.

I don't really see that schools are keeping our kids from getting exercise. I think parents have some responsibility to see that their kids are active.

DD has just started tennis and already takes ballet. So I think she's covered for an acceptable level of exercise.

Thanks for all the input folks - especially as so last minute, was extremely helpful. Am pleased to say that Louise from the sofa confessed to being a Mumsnettter.

I think PE and sport is not as fun as it used to be because our children aren't allowed to be so competitive. My ds sports day last year was one where no one won IYSWIM!!!! My sports day used to be competitive to the point of nastiness.........I must admit but at least it made us practice!!!!!!

I think www has an an extremely valid point, re fitting walking to a weekday when you work. I work 3 days a week and on the other two days I do walk DS to school and home without fail. But I have a 23 mile commute so although DS's childminder, DD's nursery, the swimming baths, are all in walking distance we end up having to drive to all of them and even then it is a rush to finish work at 4.30 (and a rush at the other end of the day to get into the office for 8), drive home 23 miles, get DS from the CM, get DD from nursery, and get to the swimming baths in time for DS to get changed ready for his 5.30 swimming lesson.

In fact, it has got to the point where I have the afternoon off today because there is a meeting at 3 with DS's teacher, and I have promised DD she can walk home from nursery "as a treat". It is half a mile uphill.

I agree, Balletmum. Taking the competition out of sport does take away some of the fun.

I guess you have to seek sport outside of school where children are still allowed to compete.
I understand that financing these activities might be difficult for some, but surely everyone can afferd some shoes and find a place to run or play tennis or go for a swim, maybekick a football around.... cant they?

Just caught your interview Justine. Loved your top! My DS is in the 3% too but he is only 6. 10 min walk to school = 20 mins walk for him and 40 for me before we even think of anything else.

But he is football mad and can run round all day and then some more.

Any chance of a clip being posted on the home page MNHQ?

nope. none whatsoever.

the junior school dd2 attends (aged almost 11) is starting up a running club from 8-8.30 once a week

it appears to be quite popular, she wants to go to it

On which programme was it?

many mums HAVE to work these days and are knackered and don't have time to shop for healthy food never mind cook it

Lots of kids just sit watching tv, nintendos DS, internet etc etc

there is so much pressure on school and parents for kids to be academic and hit targets that school haven't got time to do sport

PLaying fields are sold to housing developers to raise cash for strapped school

Food insdustry is full of rubbish food directed at kids that pile on calories and additives so they are unhealthy before they even get to the sports hall

That enough?

Surely tech can rustle something up?????? He's soooooooo clever and brilliant.

What channel/programme was it?

Definately agree, rural and urban differences, state and private education too,some schools have huge playing fields, all weather pitches and swimming pools and even climbing walls on site, others dont even have a playing field (okay mainly only primarys but still )

BBC1 but it's not going on the home page, alright.

I don't think working long hours is a valid excuse for feeding your kids crap. You can find easy to prepare healthy food.

I like:
1- Youngs fish pies. Seem to have a good amount of veg and I like to promote fish in their diets, esp. salmon and haddock.
2- soy linseed bread toasted with cheese, butter, whatever on it.
3- raw veg, but it prewashed if preparation time is an issue.
4- chop up up veg and fry it with scrambled eggs in the morning, takes about ten minutes including washing up.
5- Buy a frozen pizza and add veg to it. For finicky eaters chopp the veg and mix it up with grated chees then put it on the pizza. They will have a rather difficult time trying to pick the veg out.
Bakes potatoe with broccolie and cheese. Again if the protest the broc, chop and mix it with grated cheese.

My ds was out on his scooter yesterday. He rested it against the wall next to him for 5 minutes to talk to a girl and some vile little oik came and nicked it - my poor ds ran after him but he was away. By sheer chance my dh came round the corner in time to shout at the thief who dropped scooter in the middle of the road and legged it.

Now my ds is too frightned to go out on his scooter anymore.

We have no playing fields near us.

We have no parks nearer than a half hour route march through a busy town.

My ds does not like sports. So after-school sports clubs are not appealing. He loves to play though.

Our local council have decreed that the large areas of grassland we have in town with little paths criss-crossing them are to be cycle-free. So bang goes another option.

broccolie? How did that happen? broccoli

oh thats a real shame

i'm lucky in where we live

all the kids play outside up and down the road and there isnt any trouble, aside from the usual squabbles

I do make her good food (most of the time) luckily between me and DH we manage okay but I AM knackered when I get home from work and if I am a single mum I don't know how I would have the energy-all credit to them
Thank the lord for:

Corn on the Cob
Mackeral
Rice
Cherry tomatos
fresh soup and bread
Cheese and mushroom Omlettes
Jacket potatoes

Thats what I say

Filthyminded.......
thats sucks matey, hopefully a one off though eh