There was a time when children walked everywhere. They thought nothing of walking to and from school or around their neighbourhood.

But these days you're more likely to see youngsters staring out from the back of an air-conditioned 4x4 than walking along streets getting plenty of exercise and fresh air.

In an age of childhood obesity when children sit and watch DVDs in their parents' cars rather than taking an interest in what's going on outside, it has perhaps become more important than ever to get children out and about - on two legs rather than four wheels.

Since it started in September, 2003, Walking for Health has got hundreds of people around the Bradford district into regular walking. Every week people meet up for walks within their communities lasting between 30 minutes and 90 minutes, covering flat or hilly terrain depending on the abilities of those taking part.

Launched in partnership with HeartSmart and Shipley Surestart, with funding by Neighbourhood Renewal Funding, the initiative is run by Bradford and Airedale Teaching Primary Care Trust's Walking for Health team and has 597 people registered with it. Around 100 people a week take part in the walk programme led by volunteers.

The team also works with schools and community organisations, encouraging people of all ages and abilities to get walking.

Most walks are taken by adults but this week co-ordinator Emma Haigh led a walk for children from Sandal Primary School in Baildon. Accompanied by their parents, youngsters from the school nursery, reception class and Key Stage 1 trekked up Hope Lane then on to Baildon Moor, before turning into the village and back to school.

During the hour-long walk the children looked out for plants and wildlife and waded through muddy bogs.

Each family taking part received an information pack and a free pedometer to clock up the footsteps.

"Most of our walks are aimed at helping adults lead a healthier lifestyle but the idea this time was to promote walking to children so they'll take it forward to later life," says Emma.

"Walking is one of the easiest, most accessible activities you can do. Walking for just 30 minutes a day is enough to maintain health and reduce risks of developing heart and lung disease, some cancers, diabetes and arthritis. It helps maintain a healthy weight and aids stress reduction, sleep and well being."

Emma says walking in fresh air is physically and mentally beneficial.

"The initiative helps people leading largely sedentary lifestyles and people suffering from ill-health to get them out and about walking in groups on walks that suit their capabilities," she says.

"Those taking part include stroke victims, people with osteoporosis, people who have had hip replacements, those wanting to lose weight - anything you can possibly imagine that would improve gradually from having a small amount of exercise. The main message we try to get across is that five portions of fruit and vegetables and 30 minutes of exercise a day equals a healthy heart.

"The walking groups also help those who are fairly fit but feel socially isolated. They're open to anyone of any fitness level who fancies going out for a walk with a friendly group of people. Some people have never been walking before, it's a wonderful opportunity."

The initiative is aimed at all walks of life, from youngsters to pensioners. "Childhood obesity and early adult heart disease and diabetes is on the increase so it's important that families include regular walking into their children's lifestyles from an early age," says Emma.

"Studies have shown that if children experience exercise as a positive part of their daily lives it will support their health as they grow, and they'll carry it into adulthood.

"And of course children see so much more of their local environment when they're out and about walking than they do in a car," adds Emma. "The walks are a great way to show what beautiful areas there are locally."

Dot Mainwaring, assistant headteacher of Sandal Primary School, joined the pupils and parents for the family walk. She says it was part of a successful health and fitness week at the school.

"We have Healthy School Status and we try to involve the children in lots of different activities. This week has been fantastic," she says. "I'm delighted with the way the children, staff and parents have all embraced the activities.

"Tuesday's walk was tremendous.Walking across the moor was great fun for the children and the views were amazing. It was lovely seeing them out in the fresh air, and it was a great opportunity for parents to get to know each other a bit more.

"The week has focussed on looking after all aspects of health, emotional as well as physical. We've had classroom sports, a game of Who Wants to be a Healthy Millionaire, and Andrew Couzens, a former Leeds United player who is now a personal fitness trainer at Hollins Hall, talked to the older children about jobs in fitness.

"We had visits from Heaton Tennis School and the fire service, and the children have been doing a workout in the playground with Vogue School of Dance from Shipley. The teachers went for a walk for their staff meeting.

"The older children met with the school nurse and pupils from Salt Grammar School to talk about the transition to another school, which is all part of emotional health. It all ends with our annual school sponsored walk.

"We're now planning another parents and children walk for next term."

  • Walking for Health welcomes enquires about setting up walks within school or community group schemes or running one-off health promotion events, such as the one with Sandal Primary School. For more information ring Emma Haigh on (01274) 322172.