The study, led by researchers from Cambridge and Southampton universities, analysed more than 500 mothers and their four-year-olds, and established a direct link between physical activity levels in mothers and their children.
The study concluded that policies to improve children’s health should be aimed at mothers, as children are not ‘naturally active’, and are reliant on parents to develop good exercise habits in early life.
The research, published in American journal Pediatrics, also showed that just 53 per cent of mothers took part in 30 minutes of physical activity at least once a week.
The Government recommends 150 minutes a week of at least ‘moderate intensity physical activity, such as brisk walking.
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