When it comes to forming regular exercise habits or taking up a new sport, it seems that it is the encouragement of family is what motivates people most to get active.

According to research carried out by Sport England, half of us agree that when it comes to sport and exercise that it is our families who are the biggest motivating factor. And, as child obesity rockets, an overwhelming 91 per cent of those questioned believe that it is the parents should be responsible for their kids getting exercise.

However, 46 per cent of us believe they do not have time to fit exercise into daily lifestyles, with a third claiming they are simply apathetic and one fifth just not enjoying exercise or actively participating in sport. In addition, only 7 per cent of people exercise with their loved ones and couples are three times more likely to watch TV together than participate in sport or exercise.

Sport England’s Champion Family, who were selected to help get the nation active, recently embarked on a nationwide tour of schools in order to encourage ‘positive pester power’.

The Pester Power tour is designed to persuade children aged between nine and twelve to ‘pester’ their parents to get more active and take more responsibility for the health of their family.

Dave Robinson, dad in Sport England’s Champion Family, said: "Sporting celebrities do a great job in promoting sporting excellence. However, we feel that family members can be truly inspirational in encouraging relatives and close friends to fit health and activity into busy, everyday lives.

"Taking part in sport and physical activity together is an opportunity for families to develop their relationships and spend quality time together. Sport is also a great way to improve a child’s confidence and social skills, and develop their personalities. Above all, we want to show that getting active can be fun and not necessarily costly.

"With experts warning that 40 per cent of the population could be obese within a generation and declining participation in sport and physical activity, we think families can really inspire each other to better health and increased activity to help avert this frightening trend," he added.