Children and parents urged to walk to school

Youngsters in Broome and across Australia are being encouraged to put their best foot forward when it comes to health by participating in National Walk Safely to School Day tomorrow.

National Walk Safely to School Day is a community initiative that aims to raise awareness of the health, road safety, transport and environmental benefits that regular walking - especially to and from school every day - can provide for the long-term health of children.

Now in its 16th year, the day encourages primary school-aged children to walk to and from school, not just tomorrow, but every day.

Pedestrian Council of Australia chairman and chief executive Harold Scruby said it was vital for teachers, parents, carers and the wider community to get behind National Walk Safely to School Day and its objectives.

"The childhood obesity epidemic has reached such critical levels in Australia that one in four children are now overweight or obese," he said.

"Unless there are significant changes to physical activity and diet, this is expected to reach one in three by 2020.

"Children require at least 60 minutes per day of physical activity - and regular walking is the best exercise for all of us."