Get Off Your Butt! Get Moving People!

Fitness

Get Off Your Butt! Get Moving People!

On Tuesday, ParticipACTION, which promotes healthy living and physical activity in Canada, unveiled their 2015 Report Card On Physical Activity for Children and Youth. The results are pathetic, with a D- for overall physical activity, in part because just nine per cent of five to 17-year-olds meet daily recommendations of at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. This grade remains unchanged since 2013. Apparently we haven’t changed our behaviour.

The report titled, “The Biggest Risk is Keeping Kids Indoors,” demonstrates that way too many kids (and their caregivers) spend far too many hours inside, most likely interacting with screens, and too few hours outside.

As most of us know, regular physical activity is associated with improved cardiovascular and metabolic health such as lowered blood pressure and decreased risk of diabetes. Emotional well-being and mental health are improved as well, with a smaller risk to depression and anxiety in those who are most active.

The study highlights a few important points:

• Kids move more, sit less, and play longer when they are outside.
Outdoor play is safe — the risk of a stranger abduction in Canada is one in 14 million and the risk of death as a pedestrian playing outside is less than death while in a car.
• Spending time in front of screen increases the risk of cyber-predators and violence.
• Inactivity increases the risk of chronic health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.

So what should we do? I think this is easy. Get off your butt and go outside, AS A FAMILY. Enough is enough; we need to change our culture and our sedentary ways. TV can wait, email can wait. This blog can wait.

Let’s work together to change this pathetic D- to an A, or at least a B. Your kids, your heart and your mind will thank you for it.

To read the rest of the article in the Huffington Post, click here.

 Dina-TakeAways-1(386)

Quick Tips:

  • Get off your butt

  • Get outside

  • Make it fun

  • Play as a family – role modelling is key!

Dr. Dina Kulik, MD, FRCPC, PEM

Written By: Dr. Dina Kulik, MD, FRCPC, PEM

Dina is a wife, mother of 4, and adrenaline junky. She loves to share children’s health information from her professional and personal experience. More About Dr Dina.

You might also enjoy

What’s up with W-sitting? Are Core Stability Exercises Needed?

What’s up with W-sitting? Are Core Stability Exercises Needed?

What is W-sitting? W-sitting is when a child sits on the floor with their bum between their legs, and their knees are bent in front of them, and their legs are rotated away from their body. From a birds-eye view, it looks like the legs are forming a “W.”

The importance of kids’ exercise and being a good role model for kids

The importance of kids’ exercise and being a good role model for kids

Regular physical activity has been shown to improve health in at least two ways: improved cardiovascular and metabolic health, lowered blood pressure, and reduced diabetes risk. Your emotional well-being and mental health will also be improved, with virtually no chances for depression or anxiety.

Is strength training safe for children?

Is strength training safe for children?

How does strength training work? In younger children who are pre-pubertal, strength training works by increasing the number of nerve connections so that when your body fire’s a muscle contraction, it will be more powerful. Your muscles don’t actually “get big” or...

Dr. Dina Kulik - Subscribe to my Blog
Dr Dina Kulik - Kids Health blog

The general information provided on the Website is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Do NOT use this Website for medical emergencies.

If you have a medical emergency, call a physician or qualified healthcare provider, or CALL 911 immediately. Under no circumstances should you attempt self-treatment based on anything you have seen or read on this Website. Always seek the advice of your physician or other licensed and qualified health provider in your jurisdiction concerning any questions you may have regarding any information obtained from this Website and any medical condition you believe may be relevant to you or to someone else. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this Website.

Success! Check Your Inbox

Success! Check Your Inbox

Success! Check Your Inbox

COVID Toolbox

Success! Check Your Inbox

Dr Dina Kulik - Kids Health blog

.

Success! Thanks for Subscribing!

Dr Dina Kulik - Kids Health blog

.

Success! Thanks for Subscribing!

Dr Dina Kulik - Kids Health - Constipation Management

Success! Check Your Inbox