The federal government has launched a major campaign encouraging young women to get moving with new research revealing they are only half as active as their male peers.
Girls will be encouraged to "make their move" by a national TV and social media campaign aimed at breaking down the barriers that prevent young women from getting physical.
Health Minister Susan Ley, who launched the campaign on Sunday, said research found nearly 60 per cent of girls aged 15 to 17 undertake little to no physical activity.
She said it's "cool" for boys to be a sports hero and get sweaty and dirty, and girls should get that message too.
Research found fear of being judged and ridiculed is a key barrier preventing young women from being physically active.
"I've been a teenage girl, and there's everything from pimples, periods and other puberty blues through to trying to 'look cool' and 'fit in' in your decision making when it comes to playing sport and exercising," Ms Ley said.
"This campaign was a fun way to encourage young women in their teenage years to build their bodies as they are growing."
She said the campaign would help tackle the serious epidemic of diseases and chronic conditions facing the current generation if they don't exercise more.
The government said it was beating inactivity at its own game, by using inactive pastimes like social media and TV to try and get girls up and moving around.
