WITH the current outcry about childhood obesity, the need for children to get plenty of exercise has gone out of focus.

But now one of Britain 's sporting greats, the double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes,is aiming to put it back in the spotlight with a new book.

The book,Get Your Kids Fit,is Holmes ' attempt to show parents that it 's their responsibility to get their kids fit -and there are fun ways to do it.

Holmes,who has made it her mission to help the nation 's kids get fit and healthy since she was appointed National School Sports Champion last year,says:"I 've seen that there 's a gap between school and home life in terms of sport and fitness.

"PE in schools has got a lot better,but the gap is when a child goes home and the parent doesn 't know how to encourage them to get fitter.

"Parents are their children 's role models, and it shouldn 't just be the schools that get children fit.Parents have a responsibility to encourage their kids."

The book includes games that both parents and children can play,ranging from Cops and Robbers to Human Skittles,and discusses activities including swimming,a mini-assault course, and walking and cycling to school,to encourage parents to become more involved in their children 's fitness.

The aim is that as well as getting fit,kids will have fun -instead of just sitting in front of a computer in their spare time.

"If your kids are more active and get involved in sport,outdoor activities or dance they 'll have more fun -childhood shouldn 't be all about sitting in front of a TV or computer screen," Holmes says.

There 's also advice in the book on what exercise children should be doing at each age between four and 11,activity sheets so parents and children can monitor progress,and nutritional advice.

Holmes says part of the motivation to write the book came from the fact that her parents supported her love for sport when she was very young, and took her to an athletics club a er her PE teacher spotted her talent at the age of 12.

"I've grown up with sport being my life, starting at a very early age.

"I was given the opportunity to nd something I really liked in sport, and create a dream of mine."

Holmes insists that Britain has a huge amount of young talent that needs nurturing now, and that participation in a wide variety of activities is the key to maximising the country's chances at future Olympics.

But she warns: "? is isn't about creating the Olympic champion that I wanted to be. It's about giving kids con dence and self-esteem, learning about teamwork and making new friends, as well as things like improving strength and co-ordination.

Sport can give you all these things."

She adds: "Having a balanced lifestyle is so important, and I'm trying to give parents the information they need to make that possible for their children.

"It's about being the best you can be, and sport can give you so many elements that you need to be the best."

  • Get Your Kids Fit: The Parents' Guide To Healthy, Happy, Active Kids, by Dame Kelly Holmes, is published by Virgin Books, priced £14. Out now.