To combat worrying trends towards physical inactivity of our young generation, the British Heart Foundation and the Stroke Association have joined forces to launch a campaign called Let’s Get Physical. Three new resources are available as a result; a play pack for seven to 11 year olds showing how being active can be fun, which aims to increase children’s activity week by week; a poster showing the benefits of physical activity; and a competition for teenagers entitled Don’t just sit there, which invites 11-16 year olds, targeted through schools and youth clubs, to design a concept which will encourage their peer group to become more active.

This campaign was announced in the light of a MORI survey commissioned by the BHF among seven to 16 year olds looking at their attitudes towards physical activity. Over two fifths of 14-16 yr olds said time constraints were reason for not being more active. Nearly half considered academic study to be more important than physical activity. But the survey did show that children recognise the importance of physical activity, 59% saying that being active is good for the heart.

For further information about all of the Let’s get physical programmes just click on the Don’t just sit there! logo on the British Heart Foundation’s main site, at www.bhf.org.uk