AXA Health has polled 2,000 parents with children aged six to 17 found kids and found they spend an average of five and a half hours watching TV, five hours playing video games and four hours and 20 minutes scrolling social media a week.

That combined figure dwarfs the amount of time spent exercising and the three hours and 29 minutes spent reading books.

Shockingly, four in 10 parents (38 per cent) think their children would consider video games to be ‘a form of exercise’.

To encourage families to get active, AXA Health has teamed up with father and Sky Sports News presenter Simon Thomas, and his son Ethan. The pair took on a series of challenges, testing their strength, coordination and reaction times. 

Following the day, Simon emphasised the importance of setting a positive example to his children, adding that he and Ethan try to go on a run two or three times a week together, using it as a bonding exercise. 

He said: “Most parents will know this, but our youngsters, from the moment they’re born are mimicking and learning from what we do, how we behave, and what our habits are. 

“One of the big challenges now is being present – what I mean by that is being intentional about your time with them because there's lots of pull on our attention.

Speaking about his children, Simon added: “I want to be around for them. Ultimately, we can't always decide how long that's going to be, but if you want to give yourself the best chance by keeping physically active.

“I know it's hard for lots of people, and there's different demands on us and our time. I want to be around as long as I possibly can.”

The research found almost seven in 10 (69 per cent) said it can be a struggle to motivate their children to exercise.

Parents even think their children would be happy to go for more than three days without setting foot outside for an outdoor activity.

More than half (53 per cent) have resorted to giving children ‘rewards’, or otherwise incentivising them to get more active. And 63 per cent believe their own exercise levels as adults have a direct impact on how much their children do.

Many parents (64 per cent) would like their children to spend more time outside, according to the OnePoll.com results, believing that it helps with their overall health and wellbeing and with building friendships too. 

However, when children do get out more, 41 per cent said they see an improvement in their child’s sleep, and 33 per cent become ‘more positive’ in general.

10 POSITIVE CHANGES PARENTS NOTICE WHEN KIDS GET OUTDOORS MORE:

1. Sleep improves

2. Their overall mood improves

3. They look healthier

4. They have more energy

5. Positivity improves

6. Improved appetite

7. Their physical health improves e.g. been ill less and/or got fitter

8. Stress levels decrease

9. Improved concentration

10. Anxiety decreases