Physical Activity and the Early Years Physical Activity Resource Centre (PARC) Supported by the Government of Ontario

August 2005 What the grown-ups are doing... 57% of Ontarian adults are not active enough to get health benefits. Source: CFLRI, Physical Activity Monitor, 2001 In Canada, annual health care costs of $2.1 billion are due to inactivity. Source: Katzmarzyk, Gledhill and Shephard. The Economic Burden of Physical Activity in Canada, Canadian Medical Association Journal, 2000

August 2005 What the kids are doing... Over 50% of children and youth aged 5 to 17 are not active enough for optimal growth and development Source: CFLRI, Physical Activity Monitor, 2000

August 2005 The outcome… From 1981 to 1996, the prevalence of overweight among boys 7-13 increased from 15% to 35% and among girls, from 15% to 29% Source: Tremblay and Willms. Secular Trends in the Body Mass Index of Canadian Children. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 2000

August 2005 Television, Kids and Obesity

August 2005 Screen Time The amount of time spent playing video games by Canadian children is among the highest in the world Source: Health Behavior in School-aged Children Research Unit in Health and Behavioral Change, 2000 In 2002, children aged spent 14.5 hours per week watching TV. This does not include time on the computer or playing video games. Source: Best Start, Have a Ball Fact Sheet for Professionals, 2005

August 2005 The risks... About 50% of obese children 6 years or older are likely to become obese adults, About 70% of obese adolescents are likely to become obese adults. This risk increases to 80% when one parent is obese. Source: Dr.Oded Bar-Or. Juvenile Obesity, Physical Activity and Lifestyle Changes. The Physician and Sportsmedicine, 2000

August 2005 Scientific research on brain development and learning shows that the years from conception to age six are the most important time in a human's life for brain development. Successful and healthy development in these early years lays the foundation for competence and coping skills that will affect behaviour, learning and health. Future scholastic, career and social success are intimately-- and delicately-- connected to the early years of every child's life. (McCain, M.N. & Mustard, J.F., 1999) Early Years & Development

August 2005 Enhances healthy growth and development Builds strong bones, strengthens muscles & maintains flexibility Achieves a healthy weight Promotes good posture and balance Improves fitness Strengthens the heart Source: Canada ’ s Physical Activity Guides for Children & Youth Physical Benefits of Regular Physical Activity

August 2005 Regular physical activity is beneficial psychologically for all youths, regardless of weight. It is associated positively with self- esteem and self-concept, and associated negatively with anxiety and depression Some studies have shown a reduction in the proportion of youth smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol and taking illicit drugs when they are involved in regular physical activities Source: Canadian Pediatric Society Position Statement, 2002 Psychological Benefits

August 2005 Academic Benefits Physical education has been linked to improved academic performance, particularly in mathematics, with elementary school children. Source: CFLRI, Benefits and Impact of Physical Activity for Ontario, 1995

August 2005 Girls who are active in sports are 92% less likely to use drugs, 80% less likely to have an unwanted pregnancy and three times more likely to graduate from high school. Sources: The Institute for Athletics and Education , Sport Nova Scotia , CAPHERD and CFLRI Social Benefits

August 2005 Other Health Benefits The likelihood that children will never smoke is directly related to their amount of physical activity; more than 80% of Canadians between the ages of 10 and 24 who are active have never smoked. Sources: CFLRI, 1999, Sport Nova Scotia, 1997 and CAHPERD, 1998.

August 2005 The downward cycle

August 2005 The upwards cycle

August 2005 Why kids participate in sports 1. For fun 2. To improve skills 3. To get in shape 4. To be good at something 5. For excitement 6. For exercise 7. To play on a team 8. For the challenge 9. To learn new skills 10. To win

August 2005 Fun…. A balance... To keep kids involved and interested in physical activity, need to balance skill and challenge

August 2005 Best Start Resource Centre Member of the OHPRS Focus on Maternal, Newborn and Early Child Development working on health promotion initiatives to enhance the health of expectant and new parents, newborns and young children. Work in conjunction with the Ontario Prevention Clearinghouse Funded by the Government of Ontario

August 2005 Best Start - Have a Ball Toolkit Designed to raise awareness about the importance of regular physical activity and healthy eating in children aged zero to six, and to help strengthen physical activity programming in early learning and child care settings in Ontario Developed in partnership with PARC and the Nutrition Resource Centre (NRC). Includes information binder, copies of fun resources, reports and other complementary materials

August 2005 How to get Have a Ball Visit the Best Start website at v/have_a_ball.html to download an order form v/have_a_ball.html Cost is $25 +shipping (Ontario orders) Some components (information and fact sheets) are available online for download

August 2005 Early Years Resources Organizations: Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sports (CAAWS). This organization has a program called “Mothers in Motion”, which is web-based. It contains general information for new mothers on physical activity and coping tips. ( Canadian Institute for Child Health. Offers research, advocacy and public education materials that cover various areas of child development, including physical activity (including the Moving & Growing series). ( Early Years Centres of Ontario. Early Years Centres are a place where parents and caregivers can get information about programs and services that are available for young children. The Early Years Centre website gives location information and a list of publications about the first six years of children’s life. (

August 2005 Early Years Resources 365 TV-Free Activities do with your Child. (by Steve & Ruth Bennett). Contains a variety of ideas to help kids away for the television: arts and crafts, toymaking and active play. (ISBN: ) (Approx. $10) A Guide for Sport Parents. An excellent booklet to assist parents in finding a quality sport program for their child and ensuring positive parent support is given to the child. Available from Sport Manitoba. ( ACTIVE START: A Statement of Physical Activity Guidelines for Children Birth to Five Years. Produced by the National Association for Sport & Physical Education (U.S.). Offers guidelines on the type and quantity of physical activity necessary for infants and toddlers. oductID=450&section=5 ($13 US) oductID=450&section=5

August 2005 Early Years Resources Always Active. An activity guide for prenatal and postnatal mothers, their babies and families. Available from Kingston, Frontenac, Lanark & Addington Health Unit. ( Backyard Games. (by Cort Sinnes) How to set up and play more than 50 outdoor games. (ISBN: ) Published by Andrews McMeel Publishing. (Approx. $20) Fun & Physical Activity. Sample exercises that can be done by parents with their babies and young children. Produced by City of Toronto – Public Health and downloadable from (select Publications). Jeep 0-2 and Jeep 2-5. A great resource containing games and exercises which parents can do with their babies and young children. Only available in French. Available for purchase from Kino-Québec ( ($2 each) and on-line at:

August 2005 Early Years Resources Moving on the Spot. Sample exercises that can be done by children & youth in limited spaces. Produced by City of Toronto – Public Health and downloadable from (select “Publications”). Moving with a Purpose. A collection of games and activities for preschoolers with information to assist in building a movement program. This book would be particularly appropriate for daycares and schools. Available from Human Kinetics ( $41.50www.humankinetics.com Rainbow Fun. Resource binder produced by the City of Toronto. Contains exercises for 3-7 year olds with pictures and descriptions. The exercises are structured to provide a complete and varied workout in minutes. The binders are available at most health units.

August 2005 Early Years Resources Sport Fun (National Association for Sport & Physical Education). Part of the Sport for All series. Activity card packets for 3-5 years old. Available from Human Kinetics ( $49.95www.humankinetics.com The Beanbag Curriculum: A Homemade Approach to Physical Activity for Children (by Quentin A. Christian). How to use simple objects and transform them into educational tools. Contains photos and diagrams. Published by Great Activities Publishing Company (CEM), ISBN X ($19.95). Workout with Ticker. Exercise video for pre-schoolers (30-minute duration). Contains warm-up, strengthening, cardiovascular and flexibility exercises. Available from Stretch-n-Grow ($24.95)

August 2005 Contact Information Physical Activity Resource Centre Louise Daw Provincial Consultant