Canadian kids earned themselves an "F" this year when it comes to fitness. According to a new report, only nine per cent of boys and four per cent of girls are getting the recommended hour of physical activity a day.
Dr. Jonathan McGavock, of the Manitoba Institute of Child Health, worked on the 2011 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth, released by Active Healthy Kids Canada.
"Children are getting 44 hours a week of sedentary time," McGavock said. "That's a full-time job in front of the TV."
McGavock said this year's results are the most accurate they've ever had, because for the first time, participants wore a type of step counter, instead of just writing down their activities. The machine, worn around the waist for a week, records everything from the intensity to the duration of activity.
McGavock said most of kids' sedentary time happens after school and on weekends, meaning parents need to make more effort to get their kids off the couch.
Melissa Tichborne does her best to keep her two kids outside and active, a key step in preventing things like obesity and diabetes.
"100 per cent, it's my responsibility to make sure they are getting out there and not stuck in the house getting bored," she said.
Tichborne said it's a lot easier to keep her kids going when it's nice outside. But that's not the only obstacle.
"It's hard with the distractions of television and technology, and you can't really blame (the kids). But if you unplug (technology), it's much easier."
Experts say the key is to find an activity kids enjoy, and before you know it, fitting in an hour a day will be easy.
- With a report from CTV's Nancy Carlson
Tips from ParticipACTION to help keep kids active after school:
- Make activities fun
- Choose an activity that challenges your child, but also helps build their skills, like a sports team or dance class
- Set a maximum two hours of "screen time," whether in front of the TV, computer or even a cellphone
- Set a good example and make sure you're getting enough physical activity too
