Anne Milton with the LazyTown characters
Public Health Minister Anne Milton is urging parents to encourage their young children between the ages of two and five to be more active and eat healthier to prevent developing serious illnesses later in life.
New physical activity guidelines show that once a child can walk they should be physically active for at least 180 minutes a day.
The popular children's show LazyTown has partnered with Change4Life to encourage young children to get more active and eat healthier foods and leave their own Lazy Town ways behind. 
Public Health Minister Anne Milton said: “Eating well and being active is crucial, especially at an early age. Sportacus is a great role model for children and exactly what we need to get young children and their parents being healthy and being active.”
To launch the partnership, 3,600 Sure Start Children’s Centres will receive new Change4Life activity packs featuring all the LazyTown stars next week. The packs will contain fun ideas for group activities and parents at home, such as healthy recipe ideas and a sticker wall chart. This will help children track their progress as they become as active and healthy as Sportacus.
New research out today has revealed that Sportacus is the healthiest children’s character on UK television. Although other characters are also very active, such as Tom and Jerry and Scooby Doo, it was Sportacus who took the top spot and sets the best example for children.
Creator and star of LazyTown, Magnus Scheving said: “I’m delighted to be working with Change4Life in targeting children aged two to five years old. I believe that the blueprint for becoming a healthy, fit adult is set at this age and it is the reason why campaigns like this are so important.
“It’s encouraging to see the Government reaching out to the under fives where they can make such a positive difference.”
Former Olympic Champion Sally Gunnell said: “As a mum, I know the importance of engaging young children in a fun and creative way.
“I have seen the positive influence athletics can have on children as they grow up so this is a great way of targeting them early on and get more children interested in sport.”