New data from Statistics Canada reveals that the majority of teenagers are falling short of meeting recommended levels of physical activity, with only 21% of youth aged 12-17 in Canada meeting these guidelines from 2022 to 2024, a significant decline from 36% in the previous period. This age group is the only one showing such a decline in physical activity.
Physical activity plays a crucial role in the development of children and adolescents, impacting various aspects of their health and well-being, according to Travis Saunders, a University of Prince Edward Island professor specializing in the health effects of sedentary behavior. Meeting the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines, which recommend at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily for children aged 5-17, as well as engaging in light physical activities and muscle-strengthening exercises, is essential for their overall health.
While preschoolers are largely meeting activity guidelines, half of children aged 5-11 are not, and teenage girls are particularly lagging behind, with only 8% meeting the recommendations compared to 37% of younger girls. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to the decline in physical activity among teenagers, especially for girls.
Experts emphasize the importance of broadening children’s perspectives on physical activity beyond traditional sports, encouraging activities like walking, biking, and hiking for long-term habits. Mark Tremblay, a senior scientist at the University of Ottawa, stresses the need for societal recognition of physical activity as a critical health issue.
Efforts to address youth physical inactivity have been inconsistent, with limited investments compared to other public health initiatives. Tremblay suggests regulating addictive aspects of social media and creating more physical gathering spaces for kids to reduce screen time and promote active lifestyles. Investing in recalibrating indoor and outdoor activities could help mitigate the adverse effects associated with sedentary behaviors on physical and mental health.