Get kids active in the garden, health experts say

Gardening with children has been recommended as an easy and productive way to get young people exercising and spending more time outdoors.

New research from the British Heart Foundation found that Britain's youngsters are not getting enough daily exercise, with just one in eight claiming to participate in 60 minutes of physical activity a day.

As the concept of growing your own fruit and vegetables is becoming more popular in the UK, parents are advised to encourage their kids to plant and care for a patch or garden as part of a healthier daily routine.

Jo Butcher, assistant director at the wellbeing department of the National Children's Bureau, explained that getting kids involved in everyday activities such as gardening is a positive way of teaching them lifelong skills.

She said: "By giving children control over their health aspirations, making it fun, encouraging them to make changes with others and choosing small realistic steps they are able to develop their enthusiasm for and confidence in achieving a healthier lifestyle."

The Food Standards Agency's smallsteps4life programme aims to encourage young people nationwide to take up achievable challenges for better health, diet and fitness.

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