January 17, 2022 | Ottawa, ON | Public Health Agency of Canada
Physical activity is a pillar of healthy living, and yet only 15% of 5-17 year olds were meeting Canada's 24-hour movement guidelines prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the pandemic began, research shows that even fewer children and youth are meeting these guidelines. In Canada, some children are at an even higher risk of physical inactivity, namely: Indigenous, racialized, and immigrant children and those with disabilities.
Today, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Health, announced an investment of more than $4.8 million to fund two projects that support healthy living and increased physical activity for children, youth, and their families. Adopting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular physical activity and healthy eating can reduce the risk of children in Canada developing chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other cardiovascular diseases later in life.
To help children most at risk of physical inactivity, the Sport for Life Society is receiving more than $3.79 million for the Physical Literacy for Communities project. Reaching up to 150,000 children and youth aged 2-18 in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Nunavut, and Atlantic Canada, the project aims to increase physical activity of Indigenous, racialized, and immigrant children, as well as children with disabilities. This three-year project will support schools and communities in addressing specific local barriers to healthy active living, as well as build community capacity through training on physical literacy.
The Thunder Bay District Health Unit is receiving up to $1.1 million for the Healthy Kids HOME (Health on the Move for Equity) Program which supports urban families with children aged 12 and under. Thunder Bay experiences a higher rate of chronic diseases compared to provincial averages, and this project will create Neighbourhood Wellness Hubs to serve as a safe, trusted space for health promotion programmes, including outreach to families with young children. The Hubs will provide support to and encourage families to increase their levels of physical activity and to make it a habit to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
