Here’s Why YOU Should Care About Your Child’s Physical Activity

In an era where technology surrounds us everywhere we go, it’s increasingly important to ensure that our children remain physically active and healthy. According to the Government of Canada, in 2016 and 2017, only ~40% of children in Canada aged 5-17 engaged in sufficient daily physical activity.

In this video, we explore the physical and mental health benefits as well as the social impacts associated with physical activity for children. We also offer tips on how to encourage your child to participate in physical activity and how to keep them safe while doing so.

This video was made by McMaster students Apameh Golkar, Danielle Dagher, Gagan Dhami, and Roaa Hussam in collaboration with the McMaster Demystifying Medicine Program.

Animations created using Powtoon.

Copyright McMaster University 2021.

For more information, check out the following resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Making Physical Activity a Part of a Child’s life https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/...
Government of Canada: Children and Physical Activity https://www.canada.ca/en/public-healt...
Government of Canada: Physical Activity Tips for Children (5-11 years) https://www.canada.ca/en/public-healt...
Government of Canada: Physical Activity Tips for Youth (12-17 years) https://www.canada.ca/en/public-healt...

References:

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Biddle, S. J. H., Ciaccioni, S., Thomas, G., & Vergeer, I. (2019). Physical activity and mental health in children and adolescents: An updated review of reviews and an analysis of causality. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 42, 146–155.

Brown, H. E., Pearson, N., Braithwaite, R. E., Brown, W. J., & Biddle, S. J. H. (2013). Physical Activity Interventions and Depression in Children and Adolescents. Sports Medicine, 43(3), 195–206.

Caspersen, C. J., Powell, K. E., & Christenson, G. M. (1985). Physical activity, exercise, and physical fitness: definitions and distinctions for health-related research. Public health reports (Washington, D.C.: 1974), 100(2), 126–131. CDC: Center of Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, April 21). Physical Activity Facts.

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Government of Canada. (2019, April 17). Physical activity and screen time among Canadian children and youth, 2016 and 2017.

Government of Canada. (2019, November 07). Physical Activity Tips for Children (5 -11). Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-healt...

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Peace Health. (n.d.). Preventing Children's Injuries from Sports and Other Activities. Retrieved from https://www.peacehealth.org/medical-t...

Rush, E., & Simmons, D. (2014). Physical activity in children: prevention of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Medicine and sport science, 60, 113–121.