Only 12% of Children and Youth are Meeting Physical Activity Guidelines
June 18th, 2010
With parent’s busy schedules and the convenience of TV, video games and computers, kids are not reaching the recommended 90 minutes of activity per day. The 2010 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card indicates that 90% of kids begin watching TV before the age of 2. The recommended amount of screen time for under 2 years of age is zero hours. A US study shows that children in childcare settings are sedentary 89% of the time.
Kids learn by seeing and doing; they mimic adults, pets, other children and especially their parents. As caregivers, we need to take the responsibility for the lack of activity in our own lives and most importantly our children’s. Go to the park and climb on the equipment with your kids, jog while your child rides her bike, coach your child’s sports team and participate in the drills, set up an obstacle course in the living room and run around with your kids, dance, jump, stretch etc. These are a few ideas that will help you and your kids to become more active. An added bonus is extra quality time spent together. Get up from behind your computer right now and go play tag with your kids!