Older generations could partake in activities with youngsters to encourage each other to get fit, it was suggested this week.

According to Robert Crumbie, head of Sainsbury's initiative Active Kids, there are also many opportunities for older people to take the lead and give their children the means to perform physical exercise through facilities such as local clubs and sports centres.

He said parents play a "fundamental role" in leading by example, whether it be going for a bike ride with children at the weekend or simply visiting the park.

"It's important that parents play that role of encouraging kids to become active," Mr Crumbie added. "There's a lot of stuff out there."

The National Activity Audit recently found that while one in 20 children do not exercise at all, this number increases in females to one in every ten.

It was also discovered that the average child watches television for an average of 3.5 hours each day.