Champions for Life Foundation

We're Facing a Rising Childhood Inactivity Crisis!

Canadian children are sitting too much and moving too little to reach their full potential. 

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14%

Only 14% of 5-17 year olds are reaching their recommended daily physical activity levels1

4.8%

Only 4.8% of children (ages 5-11) were meeting 24-hour movement behaviour guidelines during COVID-19 restrictions3

2/3

Two-thirds of Canadian elementary school children have not developed basic physical literacy2

3X

Children have been spending almost triple the recommended amount of screen time during the pandemic, averaging nearly 42 hrs./week

How Does This Negative Trend Impact Our Kids?

Future Health Risks

Inactive children are at risk for adverse physical, mental, social and cognitive health problems, and issues in childhood are likely to persist into adulthood.

A Rising Childhood Obesity Epidemic

Obesity rates among children and youth in Canada have nearly tripled in the last 30 years. Almost 1 in 7 children and youth is obese. Children and youth who are obese are at higher risk of developing a range of health problems, and weight issues in childhood are likely to persist into adulthood.

An Alarming Decline in Youth Sports Participation

In 2010–2011, parents reported 74% of children and youth participated in sports. The current report data shows this rate has fallen by at least 14% over the last decade. Under 60% of boys and girls participate in sports now. This rate is much lower for girls.

Fewer Opportunities for Children Living in Vulnerable Communities

Children from low socioeconomic and under-resourced communities face barriers that make them less likely to have experiences that encourage the development of fundamental movement skills. We design tools and programs as an essential way to encourage the teaching of locomotion, object control, and balance movement skills – that lay the foundation for physical literacy.

  • References

    1. Statistics Canada. Health Reports. Meeting the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth, October 2017 [Internet]. Ottawa, ON: Statistics Canada; 2017 Oct 17 [cited 2020 Sept]. Available from: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-003-x/2017010/article/54875-eng.htm
    2. Active for Life. New research shows two-thirds of Canadian kids lack physical literacy, October 2018 [Internet]. Banff, AB: AFL Team; 2018 Oct 18 [cited 2020 Sept]. Available from: https://activeforlife.com/canadian-kids-lack-physical-literacy
    3. Moore, S.A., Faulkner, G., Rhodes, R.E. et al. Impact of the COVID-19 virus outbreak on movement and play behaviours of Canadian children and youth: a national survey. Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act 17, 85 (2020). Available from: https://ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12966-020-00987-8#citeas 
    4. Public Health Agency of Canada. Curbing Childhood Obesity; A Federal, Provincial and Territorial Framework for Action to Promote Healthy Weights, 2012 [Internet].Ottawa, ON: [cited 2020 Sept]. Available from: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/healthy-living/curbing-childhood-obesity-federal-provincial-territorial-framework.html
    5. Eime, R.M., Charity, M.J., Harvey, J.T. et al. Participation in sport and physical activity: associations with socio-economic status and geographical remoteness. BMC Public Health 15, 434 (2015). Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-015-1796-0
    6. Harrington DW, Jarvis JW, Manson H. Parents' Perceived Barriers to Accessing Sports and Recreation Facilities in Ontario, Canada: Exploring the Relationships between Income, Neighbourhood Deprivation, and Community. Int J Environ Res Public Health; 2017 Oct 23 [cited 2020 sept]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29065524/
    7. Janssen I., Leblanc A. “A systematic review of the health benefits of physical activity and fitness in school-aged children and youth.” International Journal of Behaviour, Nutrition and Physical Activity. 2010; Vol. 7, no. 40.
    8. Tremblay M.S., Allana A.G., Janssen I., Kho M.E., Hicks A., Murumets K., Colley R.C., Duggan M. “Canadian Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for Children and Youth.” Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. 2011. Vol. 36, p. 59 to 64.
    9. The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines and Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth [Internet]. Ottawa, ON: [cited 2020 Sept]. Available from: https://csepguidelines.ca/wp-content/themes/csep2017/pdf/Canadian24HourMovementGuidelines2016_2.pdf
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