The British government offered a warning for their youngest citizens – preschoolers, toddlers, and even babies – that if they do not want to become obese when they grow older, they need to start they daily exercises now.

On Monday, Britain started a campaign against obesity. The government basically wants all children below the age of 5 – even those who cannot walk yet – to exercise regularly. The guidelines indicate that kids should exercise for at least three hours a day, every day. Officials said that they see a growing trend among children living a more sedentary lifestyle. Instead of running around, children tend to spend more time with computers and television.

United Kingdom officials said that the three-hour recommended exercise time for kids under five years old should be spread throughout the day; the children could probably have an hour and thirty minutes playing in the morning then another hour and thirty in the afternoon. Exercises for children are not only limited to playing. You can have them walk around the park instead of carrying them in their strollers. There are also a lot of sport activities that the children can engage in at a young age of five and under – mini-basketballs, swimming, and badminton.

The government, however, said that the children’s individual mental and physical abilities must be considered when following their advice. For children who cannot walk yet, any floor-based play is extremely helpful for them. They exercise while moving around on their stomach; they can start reaching out to objects and the like.

What is important, the government said, is that parents introduce their children to physical activities early on because being sedentary is a habit that is difficult to shake off.