News Releases

Ontario Kids Missing Out On Action!

This page was reviewed or revised on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 2:12 PM

Sarnia, ON – Based on results from the first supplement to the 2011 Ontario Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth, there's plenty of in-action among Ontario kids.

The report card, released by Active Healthy Kids Canada, revealed that Ontario scored a D-minus for physical activity. While Ontario's children and youth did slightly better than the rest of Canada, only 32% of Ontario children met the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines recommendation of 13,500 steps per day.

"What's even more alarming is that 6-19 year olds spend an average of 8.6 hours per day in sedentary pursuits, and less than half of Ontario children and youth meet the daily required 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity per day," says Anita Trusler, Health Promoter with the County of Lambton Community Health Services Department.

Between 1994 and 2005, rates of highly preventable health issues that affected both young and old Canadians have skyrocketed: high blood pressure increased by 77%, diabetes by 45% and obesity by 18%. (Cancer Care Ontario, Ontario Cancer Plan 2011-2015)

"More effort is needed to support physical activity participation among children and youth in Ontario," added Trusler.

Grades assigned in the Ontario Report Card include:

• D – Active play and leisure 
• F – Sedentary behaviour 
• D minus – Physical education 
• C – Provincial government investments

For information on the Report Card and other tools, visit www.activehealthykids.ca. For more information about physical activity, call 519 344-2062 ext. 2119, toll free 1-800-387-2882 or visit www.lambtonhealth.on.ca.

For more information about Lambton County, visit www.lambtononline.ca.

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Contact:

Anita Trusler
Health Promoter
County of Lambton
Telephone: 519 344-2062 ext. 2119
Email: anita.trusler@county-lambton.on.ca