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Families encouraged to make physical activity part of fall routine

October 24, 2024   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

According to the 2024 ParticipACTION Report Card on physical activity for children and youth, 62 per cent of Canadian kids aged five to 17 are not getting the recommended 60 minutes of daily moderate to vigorous physical activity they need.

This activity is important for growth and development.

As families settle into the new school year and the seasons change, the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is sharing tips to help young people get the physical activity they need to be healthy.

“We know that physical activity and overall health are closely linked,” said Christine Bushey, manager of the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit’s Chronic Disease Prevention Program.

“Physical activity is important for children and teens, and the benefits include stronger bones and muscles, better brain, heart and lung health. This improves their mental, emotional and social well-being, all of which can help them be better able to learn while in school.” 

Busy schedules and being unsure of ways to start building physical activity into your day, along with changing weather, can be barriers to physical activity.

There are ways to work around this and build more activity into your family’s routine.

Encourage your children to walk or wheel the places they need to go rather than drive them there, including school. This will also reduce the number of cars in school zones, decrease traffic congestion, and improve safety in school zones.

Have outdoor play be a part of a kid’s after-school routine. This helps them stay active.

Don’t let them sit all the time.

Children and teens should spend less than two hours a day using or watching screens when it’s not for school work. Try creating a family media plan that sets limits on screen time. Try alternative activities to encourage movement indoors when the weather keeps you inside.

During weekends and after school, choose activities that get the whole family moving. When it’s an active indoor game on a rainy day or a hike on a sunny afternoon, family activities promote movement and social connectedness which are important for physical and mental health.

Children are more likely to be active if their parents and caregivers enjoy being physically active. 

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