Saskatchewan in motion is not surprised by the grades in this year's Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. The Report Card released earlier today assigned a "D" grade for active transportation, stating that 62% of Canadian youth, aged five to 17, use only inactive modes of transportation to get to and from school.
According to data collected from 10 active transportation projects implemented by in motion, Saskatchewan children and youth are on par with national averages.
The pilot projects utilized a number of methods to determine student transportation methods and family attitudes toward active transportation. The majority of families lived within 1.5 kilometres of school, however 36% of students were driven to school, 26% rode the bus and 38% walked.
"Our pilots found that in comparison to children who are driven to school, children who walk report feeling happier and excited and also less tired and less rushed," said Marnie Sinclair, Community Mobilization Manager with Saskatchewan in motion.
The top three reasons parents reported driving their kids to school are convenience, weather and distance from home.
Less than 15% of Saskatchewan children and youth are getting more than 60 minutes of daily physical activity they need," said Cathie Kryzanowski, General Manager, Saskatchewan in motion. "Walking to school is one of the easiest ways to increase activity levels, and the benefits are significant".
Families can learn more about active transportation and other ways to inspire kids to move more by visiting saskatchewaninmotion.ca.
