Chief Medical Officer Sir Liam Donaldson recommended last week that children and young people should take a minimum of an hour of at least moderate-intensity physical activity each day.
But Dr Andrew Hill, senior lecturer in behavioural sciences at Leeds University, said: "There are physical and social limitations on children's physical activity."
Sir Liam acknowledged the "contemporary threats to children's overall activity levels", such as being driven to school, watching TV, and parental reluctance to allow children to play outdoors.
He said local authorities should create safe places to walk, cycle and play, that schools should encourage children to walk to school, and parents should act as role models.
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