HEALTH bosses are encouraging kids to get moving after shock statistics show Dudley youngsters are fatter than the national average.

According to 2012/13 figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre, in Dudley 23.6 per cent of reception-aged children have been labelled overweight or obese - higher than the national average of 22.3 per cent while 37.1 per cent of Dudley’s year six children are overweight or obese compared to the national average of 33.3 per cent.

Change4Life has teamed up with Disney to launch the new 10 Minute Shake Up campaign at primary schools to help improve the fitness levels of pupils who do not achieve the recommended 60 minutes of exercise per day.

Figures show only 32 per cent of children aged five to ten in Dudley are active for at least an hour on five or more days a week - meaning a staggering 68 per cent of borough primary pupils fail to meet recommended daily physical activity levels.

Councillor Rachel Harris, Dudley's cabinet member for health, said: "The 10 Minute Shake Up campaign is a great way to encourage children to do more exercise and, together with our local events, should set them on the way to their recommended 60 minutes exercise a day.

“The good news is there’s lots going on in the borough to keep children active and entertained, from free local events to discounted sports club sessions."

Health experts say increased physical activity in school aged children leads to better academic achievement, behaviour and physical health, increased attention span, improved self-confidence and a reduced risk of developing chronic conditions in the future.

For more information visiting www.lets-get.com/activezone to sign up for a free 10 Minute Shake Up pack which includes a stopwatch, wall chart, activity cards, reward stickers and ideas for fun short-burst activities.