The latest report card from ParticipACTION gives children and youth a D+ for Overall Physical Activity and a D+ for Sedentary Behaviours.
It says Less than 1 in 5 children and youth in Canada are meeting national movement behaviour guidelines for physical activity, sedentary behaviours, and sleep.
It says COVID-19 restrictions have contributed to significant and sustained declines in physical activity levels. ParticipACTION’s own research shows that this effect has been especially pronounced on children and youth.
Only 4.8% of children (ages 5-11) and 0.8% of youth (ages 12-17) were meeting 24-hour movement behaviour guidelines during COVID-19 restrictions, compared to the 15% (5-17 years) prior to the pandemic.
62% of kids and teens were being less physically active outdoors. 79% of kids and teens were spending more leisure time on screens.
ParticipACTION says parents can facilitate physical activity by encouraging, watching, role modelling, co-participating, and attending physical activity events, online or in-person if possible.
Parents can try to be active as a family and to make it a priority to encourage physical activity, social support, connectedness, and attachment.
