The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends that children should have opportunities for moderate to vigorous-intensity physical activity every day. 'Children and young people should undertake a range of activities at this level for at least 60 minutes over the course of a day. At least twice a week this should include weight-bearing activities that produce high physical stresses to improve bone health, muscle strength and flexibility.

Opportunities for moderate to vigorous physical activity include everything from competitive sport and formal exercise to active play and other physically demanding activities (such as dancing, swimming or skateboarding). They also include some of the actions that can be involved in daily life (such as walking, cycling or using other modes of travel involving physical activity)'.

The National Health Service Change 4Life campaign advises:

'In fact, kids need to do at least 60 minutes of physical activity that gets their heart beating faster than usual. And they need to do it every day to burn off calories and prevent them storing up excess fat in the body which can lead to cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease'.

It has been estimated that a child of primary school age can use up to 2 calories per minute walking to school and up to 1&1/2 calories per minute cycling to school. A secondary school pupil can use up to 3 calories per minute walking to school and over 2 calories per minute cycling to school.

Walking and cycling to and from school can play an important part in ensuring that children, parents and school staff get enough of the recommended daily physical exercise. Make walking and cycling to school part of your daily life.

For further information contact the school travel plan co-ordinator.

• School Travel Plan Co-ordinator
  Name: Mr Andrew Combes
  Email: a.combes@dorsetcc.gov.uk
  Tel: 01305 228650
  Fax: 01305 224835
  Full details for Mr Andrew Combes