Daily Physical Activity

The Need for Daily Physical Activity in Schools

The benefits of an active, healthy lifestyle are well documented. Students who are active on a daily basis are healthier and do better in school than their inactive peers.

The risks of an inactive lifestyle are equally well known. Three out of five school-aged children in Canada (ages 5-17) are not active enough for optimal growth and development. One in every four children in B.C. between the ages of two and 17 is overweight or obese.

Statistics document the fact that physical education and health courses alone are no longer enough to counteract the increasing temptations of an inactive lifestyle and unhealthy foods choices.

Health Canada recommends that children and youth achieve 90 minutes of physical activity a day to ensure optimal growth. By offering K-9 students 30 minutes of activity daily and requiring grades 10 – 12 students to complete 150 minutes of physical activity per week, the Ministry of Education will help students fulfil that recommendation. Students are encouraged to be active for more than just the minimum daily activity time.