To the Editor:
No more teachers, no more books school is out for the summer!
Now that the kids are out of school for the summer, and the weather is warmer, what are your plans to keep them active? Sadly, not enough Canadian children are being active, even though it is part of a healthy lifestyle. A study by the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute shows that children in Canada do not get enough physical activity on a daily basis.
Active play is critical for the healthy development of children. Regularly being active helps children build social skills, imaginations, and self-esteem. Research shows that lifestyle patterns set before the age of five predict health outcomes in later childhood and through adulthood, while staying active on a regular basis is the key to a healthy lifestyle.
According to the 2012 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card, only seven per cent of Canadian children and youth are meeting the guidelines set forth by Canada's Physical Activity Guidelines of at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day. Girls, in particular, tend to be less active than boys, with only 17 per cent of adolescent girls meeting the guidelines. However, 28 per cent of boys aged 10 to 16 meet the guidelines.
Use active transportation to get to and from places if possible. Walking with your kids is a great way for both of you to incorporate physical activity into your day. Riding a bike or rollerblading is also great active transportation.
Encourage your children to get involved in sports teams or clubs within the community, and at school.
Get your children involved in active chores around the house, such as raking, vacuuming and gardening.
Learn more at: canadasafetycouncil.org.
Lewis Smith, Canada Safety Council
