To mark the beginning of International Walk to School month [1 – 31 October 2008], BMA Scotland has today (Wednesday 1 October) published a briefing paper highlighting the health and social benefits of encouraging children to have an active lifestyle. To get Scotland moving, the Scottish Government should: 1) Develop an effective strategy to encourage teenagers and young adults to take part in regular exercise 2) Encourage doctors to prescribe exercise for the overweight/obese (e.g. reduced cost/free access to local authority sports centres) 3) Improve access to subsidised sporting facilities for both children and parents. Easy access for those from lower socio-economic groups is particularly important 4) Take assertive action to improve communities and make them clean, safe and healthy for our children.