There will be no blaming the dog's appetite in a new homework strategy, aimed at getting kids healthy outside of school hours.

AUT and Otago University have joined forces to create an eight-week compulsory programme of healthy homework.

It provides different ideas for physical activity, and teaches children about a healthy diet and how to identify food labels.

AUT Associate Professor Scott Duncan told Kate Hawkesby most of a child's unhealthy eating occurs at home.

He says he was shocked to find children were 30 percent less active on the weekends than weekdays.

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