Why your kids are getting fat
Posted Apr 27, 2010 7:35 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The grades are in and our kids get a big, fat “F” for physical activity.
According to the 2010 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card, children in our country are dangerously physically inactive.
Instead of running, jumping and playing, children are spending too much time glued to their TV, computer and video game screens.
The numbers are staggering and some experts are calling it a health crisis.
“Only 12 per cent of Canadian children and youth are meeting the daily physical activity guidelines. That means 88 per cent are not meeting the guidelines,” ParticipACTION President and CEO Kelly Murumets tells 660News.
Just 11 per cent of Alberta kids are getting enough exercise.
The main reason for the inactivity may not come as a surprise: it’s the TV.
The report card finds that 90 per cent of kids begin watching TV before the age of two.
On average they’re stuck in front of a screen for 6 hours on weekdays and 7 hours a day on weekends. That’s more time than most parents spend at work.
The solution can be easy.
“Something as simple as limiting the amount of television that your children are accessing on a daily basis will create a major change,” Dr. Art Quinney with Active Healthy Kids Canada tells 660News.
It’s not just parents taking the blame. The report card claims funding by the federal government to promote physical activity has been slashed in half since the 1980’s.
Some other grades:
“C-” for Physical Education
“D” for Family Physical Activity
“B” for Proximity and Accessibility to Physical Activity Facilities
“D” for Usage of Facilities, Programs, Parks and Playgrounds
This is the fourth year in a row our children have received a failing grade for physical activity.
