Students get active

BEGA Primary school students will pound the pavement on Friday, May 15 as they walk their way to better physical and mental health as part of Walk Safely to School Day.

The aim is to develop active and healthy kids by encouraging all Australian children to exercise regularly including at least 30 minutes of walking in their daily routine.

The event also aims to reduce hazardous traffic congestion and vehicle pollution around schools.

Event organiser from the Pedestrian Council of Australia Harold Scruby said it’s a great chance to develop healthy habits.

“The day is an opportunity to develop healthy sustainable habits, not only for one day, but for life,” he said.

“Encouraging them to walk regularly instead of jumping into the car is an easy way to get them on the path to becoming healthy adults.”

Mr Scruby said that while the event was good fun it also had several serious messages.

“The day teaches vital lessons about health and saving the environment,” he said.

“Research shows if parents continue to promote childrens’ sedentary lifestyle by chauffeuring them everywhere and letting them play computer games instead of teaching them to get outside and exercise regularly, then by 2025 half of all young Australians will be overweight or obese.”

For more information visit www.walk .com.au