ABSTRACT
Within the primary school and in particular within physical education, children’s attitudes and interests in physical development and physical activity can be fostered and an understanding of the importance of not only activity, but also diet and the concept of healthy lifestyles can be imparted. Physical education according to Howells (2011: 119) ‘should encompass individual physical development, health and wellbeing’ and has a crucial role in primary school education as it is much more than just simply providing exercising opportunities for every child. Yet sometimes it appears that, if newspapers, television and some academic research are to be believed, all the world’s problems can be put down to our lack of physical activity, or if not all problems we are assured that the growing incidences in the Western world of cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and obesity are due to its insufciency. But what is physical activity exactly, how much is enough to stave off these impending disasters and when should we start?
