2 Don't be a Dolittle

Today's lifestyles mean we are far less active than we used to be. The modern home is packed with labour-saving gadgets, remote controls, televisions and computers that all encourage us to spend a large part of our lives being inactive - a Dolittle.

Whilst boys are generally more active than girls throughout childhood, overall children today spend less time in active play than in years gone by. They prefer to watch TV or play computer games.

Many children do not walk or cycle to school for a variety of reasons, so the school day provides fewer opportunities to be active.

This message aims to make children more aware of the amount of time they spend being inactive and to encourage ways to reduce inactivity. The Dolittles are used to demonstrate what we mean by living an inactive life.