Call to action for couch potatoes

Experts are worried by children's lifestyles

Scientists are to discuss ways of giving couch potatoes a major wake up call at a conference in Aberdeen.

Experts agree that sedentary lifestyles are causing many health problems, with lack of exercise blamed for a number of illnesses including heart disease.

The problem of getting people to get active will be addressed at the two-day conference, which is being co-hosted by the Aberdeen Centre for Energy Regulation and Obesity (ACERO) and The Nutrition Society.

The event in Aberdeen University's zoology department, will be attended by more than 175 scientists and health care professionals.

Experts want people to beat the bulge

A recent study of more than 100 pre-school children in Scotland by Prof John Reilly of the University of Glasgow found "worrying levels" of inactivity in youngsters.

The children wore special monitors which revealed they were inactive for 80% of their days - the same as youngsters in the US.

Prof John Speakman, chair of ACERO, said the conference was an important step in the fight to tackle growing levels of obesity.

He said: "This is one of the first times that people have got together to talk specifically about the role of physical activity and obesity in the context of research that has gone on recently.

"The information from the group of youngsters tested in Scotland showed that by the age of three or four some kids are already extremely inactive."

He added: "It's clear that there is something important that is happening very early."