The problem of obesity among children has developed into an epidemic, doctors say, and urgent action is needed to get kids off the couch and moving again.

The Canadian Paediatric Society, the College of Family Physicians of Canada and the Canadian Teachers' Federation have issued a joint call to action over what they say is an alarming amount of childhood physical inactivity.

The groups say kids are getting pudgier as they spend too much time watching TV, playing video and computer games, while schools place a lower priority on physical education in Canadian schools. They say kids already sit at school for five to seven hours every day and need to spend their after-school hours outside playing.

"Our children are in serious trouble," said Dr. Claire LeBlanc, a pediatric sports medicine physician. She says treating obesity in children is not easy and many specialized obesity clinics have a less than 50 per cent success rate. That's why, she says, it's so critical to prevent obesity in children before it begins.

"Families need to understand that physical activity is as important in protecting one's health as wearing a seat-belt," Dr. LeBlanc stressed.

Statistics Canada reported in October that more than one-third of Canadian children are overweight -- and about half of those obese. The agency cited a lack of exercise and poverty as possible factors.

"Obese children tend to have an increased risk of becoming overweight adults and risk higher morbidity and mortality rates in adulthood," said Dr. Andrew Pipe of the College of Family Physicians of Canada. He says doctors are increasingly seeing a rise in the incidence of Type 2 diabetes, high fat levels in the blood, and hypertension in severely overweight children.

In response to the problem, Health Canada and the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) released new guidebooks for families, care-givers, teachers, health care providers and recreation leaders.

The guides offer information and tips to help inactive children understand the importance of daily activity.

The Canadian Teachers’ Federation warns that without increased resources for physical education programming, gym programs will continue to be cut. The federation says that currently, only one-third of all schools have formal physical education programs, and programming varies depending on the province and the school.

"There is no question that our students benefit from physical activity academically, socially, and psychologically," said Doug Willard, President of the Federation. Willard said government cuts to physical education in elementary and secondary schools have teachers worried for children's health, and he urged parents and school boards to speak to all levels of government to reduce the dangerous trend of sedentary children and youth.

Guy Tanguay, Executive Director of the Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, agreed that gym programs need to be revitalized. He says reaching students through school physical education programs ensure that even kids from low-income families have equal access to sport.

"Kids spend more of their waking time in school than anywhere else, yet a minority of them receive a quality physical education program," says Tanguay.

While the schools have a vital role to play, Willard added: "I think it's clear that schools cannot and should not be expected to do it all. Parents have to buy into an active lifestyle and model that behaviour to their children – and so should the communities in which we live."