Opposition Leader Michael Dunkley last night called for more sports to be built into the school day to tackle the Island's ballooning obesity epidemic.

Mr. Dunkley said healthy eating and nutrition should also be increased in the school curriculum and that, if necessary, school hours should be extended to accommodate the extra activities.

It comes after UK National Obesity Forum Jane DeVille-Almond branded Bermuda's schools system "a disgrace" for only dedicating 100 minutes a week to physical activity.

Ms DeVille-Almond was flown into Bermuda for a series of workshops with health workers, teachers and other professionals after a new survey showed one in three five- to ten-year-olds is overweight or obese.

In a statement released last night, Mr. Dunkley said: "Unless we teach our children the value of healthy eating at a young age and the value of daily exercise for physical and mental health, the current trend — which spells disaster for the future — will continue.

"The United Bermuda Party believes that healthy eating and nutrition should be part of each school curriculum. We also believe that each school day should include mandatory sporting activities in addition to existing exercise programmes.

"This is a central plank in our education reform plan. And if daily sports and other stimulating activities means it is necessary to extend the school day then that is what we will do.

"It is our belief that the dietary assistance and mandatory exercise are two steps that if properly managed can start reversing our current obesity trend.

"Now is the time for action. We have talked enough, let's get it done for the future health of our children."

Ms DeVille-Almond made her comments in a speech before about 70 professionals at Elbow Beach Hotel on Friday to mark the end of her week-long stay in Bermuda.

She accused parents of "killing your children" by not making them do enough exercise or eat the right foods.

Asked whether she thought the school day should be extended to allow for more physical activity, she said it would be better to cut subjects such as French and geography, which are less useful in the real world.

Mr. Dunkley described the expert's message as a "warning that should be taken very seriously". He also said he was "disappointed" Health Minister Michael Scott declined to say whether he would raise the issue with Education Minister Randolph Horton.

Mr. Horton and the Ministry of Education did not respond to requests for a comment from this newspaper over the weekend.

The Royal Gazette reported earlier this month how Bermuda's Diabetes Centre Coordinator Debbie Jones wanted the school day extended to 5 p.m. so more exercise can be made compulsory for children.

Do you think the school day should be extended so children can spend more time doing physical activity? E-mail tsmith@royalgazette.bm