The traditional family walk is dying out with severe consequences for the nation's health, new research warns.

 While more than half of Britons surveyed said they didn't have enough time to walk 56 per cent claimed they would make the effort if their friends and family joined them

More than half of people say they walk less than they did ten years ago.

Britons blamed lack of time and low enthusiasm from other family members for the decrease and cited factors that included not knowing where to walk, tiredness and poor motivation.

Instead, researchers from the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Science at Loughborough University found that families are increasingly likely to convene for sedentary activities such as mealtimes and watching television.

While more than half of Britons surveyed said they didn't have enough time to walk 56 per cent claimed they would make the effort if their friends and family joined them.

Over a third complained that they would go out more if they had more comfortable footwear while 39 per cent said they would be more physically active if they knew where the most appropriate walks were.

Dr Stacy Clemes, a lecturer in human biology at the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Science at Loughborough University stated in The Telegraph: "Lack of physical activity is widely documented across the world as a major risk factor for many chronic diseases.

"Despite walking being described as an ideal form of exercise it is concerning to see families worldwide not using this cheap and effective form of exercise to promote their family's health.

"Walking is an inclusive activity, allowing families to share a common interest and spend quality time in the fresh air."

Matt Roberts, a celebrity fitness trainer, said the problem was not just confined to urban dwellers.

"We can all make time," he said. "The question is, do you want to make the effort or do you want to die a bit younger? Interestingly, it is perhaps easier for people in cities who are close to parks to take these kind of walks because people who live in the country may have to walk along a main road which isn't particularly pleasant. We have become a nation of Sky TV parents who are happy to stay in our comfort zones and let the kids play on PlayStation rather than have them play outside.

"Activity, such as walking, is as important if not more so than exercise sessions themselves. Cumulatively they can burn more calories than the odd visit to the gym. The recent snowy weather has seen a lot of families out sledging with their children but that is a relatively unusual state of affairs."

An Ofsted survey last year found that fewer than one third of British children compete in sport at school while there are currently more than 1.5 million children who are overweight or obese making them more likely to develop conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, heart and liver disease.

The international research, commissioned by MBT Shoes, found that family walks are most popular in Austria while the Portuguese were found to be the least enthusiastic about the activity.