As reported in the 2010 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth (AHK report card), only 12% of our kids meet the recommended guideline of at least 90 minutes a day of physical activity. This guideline is included in Canada's Physical Activity Guide, published by the Public Health Agency of Canada.

The AHK report card is produced every year and provides a compilation of the latest research findings related to five areas of influence. This article will focus on three of the five areas: physical activity/inactivity; family and peers; and schools.

Understanding the Grades
In each area of influence, different categories are assigned a letter grade:

• A = we are succeeding with a large majority of children and youth
• B = we are succeeding with well over half of children and youth
• C = we are succeeding with about half of children and youth
• D = we are succeeding with less than half, but some children and youth
• F = we are succeeding with very few children and youth
• INC= incomplete grades

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Physical Activity/Inactivity
In this area of influence, grades are recorded in five categories. The 2010 results were as follows:

• physical activity levels – F
• organized sport and physical activity participation – C
• active play – F
• active transportation – D
• screen time – F

Although the grades are rather dismal in this section, it doesn't mean they can't move upwards, towards better marks in future reports.

You can play an active part in helping to improve these marks by making positive or proactive changes.

• Track the amount of time your child spends being active. Start by discussing ways in which you can both increase your level of physical activity. For example, if you both go on walks, hikes or runs, you can track this active time by using a pedometer.
• Work with schools and your community to provide opportunities for adolescents to play or continue playing organized sports in recreational leagues. This type of league is fun and not as intense as more competitive leagues, but equally good for the health and fitness of youths.
• Provide safe, supervised, unstructured play spaces for your kids – after all, the AHK report found 74% would choose to be active if they were allowed to decide!
• Take the lead and encourage your kids to travel to and from school using active modes of transports, such as biking, walking or roller-blading.
• If you drive your kids to school, use a drop-off zone that is some distance from the school; then your kids can get the health benefits of walking the rest of the way.
• Limit your child’s leisure screen time to a maximum of two hours a day. Make sure you help or guide them towards optional activities, such as playing with friends, going to the park, taking a family bike ride, or selecting chores that can be fun, such as gardening or washing the car.

Family and Peers
Kids are influenced by their family and peers more than anyone else – media included! 

In this area of influence, grades are recorded in two categories. The 2010 results are as follows:

• family physical activity – D
• peer influence – INC

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You can have a positive influence on your child's physical activity levels, by taking the lead in different ways.

• Model an active living lifestyle to your kids, by making physical activity an important part of your own day. They will see you in action and may often ask to join you or do similar activities!
• Be supportive and encouraging, rather than scolding. Take the time to get to know their interests, fears and favourites. One child may hate baseball, but love biking. Another might hate biking, but loves track and field events. Find out what your kids like to do, and encourage those activities.
• At home, promote and model regular routines: limit TV time, eat family meals together, get enough sleep and be active together. You'll all benefit!
• Kids are more active when they have active friends.  Provide opportunities for your kids and their friends to be active together, instead of "mall-hopping," or watching too many video games and movies. Help your own children by talking with them about some active options – you might be surprised with their great ideas!

Schools
In this area of influence, grades are recorded in four categories. The 2010 results are as follows:

• physical education – C-
• sport and physical activity opportunities – C
• infrastructure and equipment – B
• school policy – C

Parents can do many things to encourage their school community to improve these grades.

• Talk often with teachers, school administrators and school boards about physical activity topics and issues.
• Advocate for daily physical education (PE) classes in the school. Research continues to show the positive impact of PE; socially, academically, physically and emotionally.

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Parents can also suggest or request that their local school:

• provide a variety of sport and physical activity opportunities that allow ALL students to participate;
• fund quality play spaces, equipment and renovations to ensure safe, productive physical activity; and
• ensure that your school has a physical activity policy in place that is implemented and followed, including aspects which promote health and wellness for all children.

It's clear that the grades "we" received in the AHK report card need to be improved in the years to come.

There are many simple steps you and everyone can take to improve these marks in different categories, in the short-term and further ahead.

For starters, on the home front, do your part by raising your own children to be as active as possible. Don't forget to lead by example!

Whether you live in a large city, small town or rural area, you can take other actions or supportive steps to connect with peers, friends, neighbours and decision-makers. Together, you and others can promote and support physical activity opportunities for all children and youth, in schools and in the wider community.

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Learn More

Active Healthy Kids Canada
Offers a wealth of information, research summaries and supports to get kids moving!  Includes the 2010 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth.

Ever Active Schools
Resources and supports for the home, school and community.  Check out the list of school wellness policies from around Alberta, as well as internal links to other article on active play, physical activities for families, and more.