Derbyshire: Buzz Lightyear, Anna and Mr Incredible team up for children’s fitness campaign

Children across Derbyshire are being encouraged to get active throughout the school holidays with help from their favourite cartoon characters.
Guardian NewsGuardian News
Guardian News

Children across Derbyshire are being encouraged to get active through the school holidays with help from their favourite cartoon characters.

Derbyshire County Council is backing a new Change4Life campaign launched by Public Health England in partnership with Disney.

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The ‘10 Minute Shake Up’ uses popular Disney characters from ‘Toy Story’, ‘Frozen’ and ‘The Incredibles’ to get children doing 10 minute bursts of exercise to help them reach the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity they need each day.

Research has shown that physical activity can lead to better academic achievement, increased attention span, improved behaviour and self-confidence as well as increased physical health and a reduced risk of developing chronic conditions in the future.

The only problem is that only one in five children aged five to 10 currently meets the recommended target.

More than 75,000 families have already signed up for the six-week 10 Minute Shake Up campaign and more are urged to join in.

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Derbyshire County Council Cabinet Member for Health and Communities Councillor, Dave Allen, said: “The Shake Ups campaign provides parents with lots of ideas for inexpensive keep fit activities just at the time they’re starting to plan how they’ll keep their children entertained during the school holidays.

“Research shows that 10 minutes of exercise performed several times a day is sufficient to improve children’s fitness and overall health and this campaign will support our commitment to reducing childhood obesity and promoting active and healthy lifestyles in young people.”

There will also be a series of 10 Minute Shake Up roadshows across the country during the school holidays including in Derbyshire. Children can try out Disney-themed rowing, throwing, cycling and dancing games at ‘Derby by the beach’ in Derby Market Place on Thursday 29 July from 10am to 5pm.

Parents who would like more information and fun easy ideas to get their children more active over the summer holidays visit www.nhs.uk/change4life