Youth love computers, video games and TV. While these activities can be educational, youth need regular physical activity for healthy growth and development. It is important to develop the habit of incorporating physical activity into everyday life in the younger years, because the health risks of inactivity in adulthood are severe.
How much activity do youth need & what does this mean?
What are the benefits of physical activity for youth?
How much activity do youth need?
GO2 supports the Public Health Agency of Canada's recommendation that youth require 90 minutes of physical activity most days of the week in order to achieve health benefits. If 90 minutes sounds like a lot, remember that the activity can be accumulated throughout the day in smaller amounts.
What does this mean?
Initially you should try to increase the amount of time you currently spend being physically active by at least 30 minutes per day and decrease inactive time (TV, playing computer games and surfing the Internet) by at least 30 minutes per day. Slowly work up to your goal of 90 minutes of activity/day.
The increase in physical activity should include a combination of moderate activity (such as brisk walking, skating and bike riding) and vigorous activity (such as running and playing soccer). Over several months, children should try to accumulate at least 90 minutes more physical activity per day and decrease by at least 90 minutes per day the amount of time spent on non-active activities such as watching videos and sitting at a computer.
Daily activity should include both moderate activities like walking, bike riding and skating, as well as more vigorous activities such as running, supervised weight lifting, basketball and soccer.
What are the benefits of physical activity for youth?
- Meeting new friends
- Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight
- Provides positive role models
- Teaches team work and social skills
- Improving self-confidence and self-esteem
- Decreases incidence of risky behaviour
- Building strong bones and muscles
- Provides a sense of belonging
- Gives teens constructive things to do
- Reduces stress levels and improves sleep
- Improves cardiovascular endurance
- Decreases risk of depression
Youth Week – Youth Week, in partnership with the City of Calgary, is a celebration of youth activities and community youth programs in Calgary. Throughout a one week period in May, Calgary youth participate in a variety of events across the city and complete the week with a special party at Shaw Millennium Park. http://www.youthweekcalgary.ca/
‘Let's Get Active!' Interactive Magazine for Youth - This interactive magazine gives youth tips and advice on how to get started, finding activities they enjoy, activity breaks that can be done even when sitting, as well as a quiz and a crossword puzzle about physical activity facts. Also includes stories of ways other youth increased their physical activity levels.
The City of Calgary has many active volunteer oppurtunities for youth click here for more information.
For tips on how to get more active click here
Links
For more information on physical activity and youth, click here