by Jeffrey Reed, Editor, LondonOntarioSports.com

With students soon back in the classroom, alarm bells continue to sound when it comes to the fitness level of Canadian children and youth.

ParticipACTION, a Canadian non-profit charitable organization that has been encouraging Canadians to get healthy by making physical activity an integral part of their everyday life since 1971, recently presented more shocking news about our young people. The organization reports, physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour levels remain high with only 36.8 per cent of Canadian children and youth meeting physical activity recommendations.

As adults, we’re not setting a good example. ParticipACTION reports 46.2 per cent of us are in the same boat as our kids.

Canada’s Minister of Health Marjorie Michel hit the nail on the head when she said, “Physical activity is one of the most effective ways to improve health, prevent chronic disease and support overall well-being.”

Although just a tiny part of overall education and information about physical fitness, ParticipACTION has been inspiring people and communities to be more active for generations. Through continued partnership, the organization is helping more generations lead more active lifestyles and is contributing to the well-being of Canadians. But it can’t do it alone.

Adam van Koeverden, Secretary of State for Sport in Canada, calls physical fitness “medicine for our bodies and our minds, but far too many Canadians still face barriers to getting active. That has to change. We are working with ParticipACTION to level the playing field, break down those barriers, and make it easier for Canadians of all ages to move more, feel better and live healthier lives.”

Words are often cheap, but the feds are doing their part with $6 million in continued support to ParticipACTION, helping Canadians of all ages make physical activity a part of everyday life.

1970s ParticipACTION badges

Through initiatives like ParticipACTION’s Let’s Get Moving and the Community Challenge, ParticipACTION creates opportunities for movement right where people live, learn, work and play.

Since 2018, the Let’s Get Moving initiative has achieved results across its program of activities, including public education, research and community-based physical activity challenges. Last year, through the Let’s Get Moving initiative, 1,511 organizations hosted Community Challenge events reaching 846,505 participants. Between 2018 and 2026, the Public Health Agency of Canada invested $43 million to support Let’s Get Moving in order to encourage Canadians to get active as part of a healthy lifestyle.

If you attended elementary and high school during the 1970s, then you probably remember the Bronze, Silver, Gold and Award of Excellence ParticipACTION crests earned through physical fitness testing. Many kids were happy to receive a Bronze patch, even though it was presented for achieving the lowest level of fitness. Back then, it was the equivalent to today’s participation medals.

But today, with screen time exceeding five hours per day per child, according to multiple studies, participation isn’t enough. That’s where initiatives like ParticiPACTION and its programs take the next step towards better health.

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Award-winning journalist Jeffrey Reed has covered sports, recreation and fitness for a local and national audience since 1980. Reach him at jeff@londonontariosports.com.