Physical Activity Guides for Children & Youth

Supported by the Government of Ontario

Why do we need Physical Activity Guides?

To provide recommendations on the frequency, intensity, duration and types of activity needed for health. The Guides are produced and distributed by Health Canada.

Physical Benefits of Physical Activity for Children & Youth

Enhances healthy growth and development Builds strong bones, strengthens muscles &

maintains flexibility Achieves a healthy weight Promotes good posture and balance Improves fitness Strengthens the heart

Psychological Benefits

Physical activity is consistently related to improvements in self-esteem, self-concept, depressive symptoms and anxiety / stress.

Sources: Demarco & Sydney - 1989, Bouchard - 1993 and Malina - 1994.

Academic Benefits

Physical education has been linked to improved academic performance, particularly in mathematics, with elementary school children.

Source: CFLRI, Benefits and Impact of Physical Activity for Ontario, 1995

Social Benefits

Girls who are active in sports are 92% less likely to use drugs, 80% less likely to have an unwanted pregnancy and three times more likely to graduate from high school.

Sources: The Institute for Athletics and Education-1993, Sport Nova Scotia-1997, CAPHERD-1998 and CFLRI-1999

How Active Are the Kids?

Over 50% of children and youth aged 5 to 17 are not active enough for optimal growth and development

Source: CFLRI, Physical Activity Monitor, 2000

Cardiovasular Disease Hypertension High Cholesterol Type 2 Diabetes Osteoporosis

Future Health Issues

Source: Canadian Pediatric Society - Position Statement - 2002

Today’s inactive children have an increased risk for:

Mental Health Problems Orthopedic Problems Arthritis Some Forms of Cancer

From 1981 to 1996, the prevalence of overweight among boys 7-13 increased from 15% to 35% and among girls, from 15% to 29%

Source: Tremblay and Willms. Secular Trends in the Body Mass Index of Canadian Children. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 2000

Future Health Issues

The Guides

Children: 6-9 years old Youth: 10-14 years old

The Recommendations

The Children & Youth Guidesrecommend a minimum of 90 minutes per day:

30 minutes of vigorous activity +

60 minutes of moderate activity

How to Meet the Recommedations

Increase physical activity gradually. Reduce non-active time (TV, computer, video

games). Build physical activity throughout

the day in periods of at least 5 to 10 minutes.

Find FUN activities!

What Activities Should Children & Youth Do?

Strength-building activities

Flexibility activities

Endurance activities

Additional Supports:The Magazines

The magazines are for the children & youth themselves to help them find fun ways to meet the Guide Recommendations.

Additional Supports: The Family Guides

The Family Guides will assist parents, caregivers and guardians in helping children & youth integrate physical activity in their lives.

Additional Supports:The Teachers’ Guides

The Teachers’ Guides will assist teachers through classroom activities and discussions to help students increase their physical activity.

Additional Supports:The Physical Activity Chart & Stickers

The Physical Activity Chart and Stickers are ideal for posting on a fridge or bulletin board.

They are designed for children 6-9 and will help them track their progress.

Who Endorses the Guide? Everyone!!!

National Organizations:

Active & Safe Routes to School

Arthritis Society

Assembly of First Nations

Association of Local Public Health Agencies

Block Parent Program of Canada

Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada

Canadian Academy of Sport Medicine

Canadian Assoc, for Health, Physical Education, Recreation  and Dance

Canadian Assoc. for the Advancement of Women & Sport & P.A.

Canadian Association for Young Children

Canadian Association of Principals

Canadian Child Care Federation

Canadian Council on Social Development

Canadian Diabetes Association

Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle

Canadian Home and School

Canadian Institute of Child Health

Canadian Intramural Recreation

Canadian Lung Association

Canadian Medical Association

Canadian Mental Health Association

Canadian Nurses Association

Canadian Paediatric Society

Canadian Parks and Recreation Association

Canadian Physiotherapy Association

Canadian Psychiatric Association Canadian Psychological Association Canadian Public Health Association Canadian School Boards AssociationCanadian Society for Exercise PhysiologyCanadian Special OlympicsCanadian Teachers' FederationChild/Women's Health ProgramChildren's Safety Association of Canada Child Welfare League of CanadaCoalition for Active LivingCollege of Family Physicians of Canada Dietitians of Canada Family Service Canada Federation of Canadian Municipalities Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du CanadaGo for GreenHeart and Stroke Foundation of Canada Lifesaving Society Developmental & Pediatric ServicesNational Crime Prevention CentreNational Institute of Nutrition Osteoporosis Society of Canada Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada Planned Parenthood Federation of CanadaSafe Kids Canada, National Injury Prevention ProgramScouts Canada United Way of Canada/Centraide Canada Vanier Institute of the Family Victoria Order of Nurses for Canada YMCA of Canada YWCA of Canada

Children's Hospitals:Alberta Children's Hospital Children's Hospital of Eastern OntarioChildren's & Women's Health Centre of BC Hospital for Sick Children IWK Health CentreJaneway Children's HospitalMontreal Children's HospitalWinnipeg Children's Hospital

For More Information and to Order:

Call: 1-888-334-9769 Visit: www.healthcanada.ca/paguide