The Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance gave Canada a D+ in overall physical activity and sedentary behaviour, and a D in the newest indicator, physical fitness. The global report blames the country’s dismal showing on screen time, the urbanization of communities and automation of domestic chores. It shows countries with the most active children and youth foster physical activity by "pervasive cultural and social norms." Slovenia, for example, integrates sport with national identity and regularly measures children physical fitness. It scored a top grade of A- for overall physical activity, a B+ for family and peers and an A for government (strategy and resources). A researcher with ParticipACTION said Canada can improve its ranking by getting kids to walk, bike or wheel to school and better managing screen time. Its own report showed only 35% of kids aged five to 17, and 62% of kids age three to four, get the exercise they need. Fifty-one per cent engage in more recreational screen time than is recommended.
Related:
Nouveau rapport mondial sur l’activité physique des jeunes: le Canada performe moins bien en raison du temps d’écran et de la dépendance à la technologie - ParticipACTION
NBHC Population Health