Activity
Kids need to be even more active than adults. In order for them to get the best possible health benefit, children need at least 60 minutes of activity each day – at home, at school, at play.
Being active and eating well every day can help kids maintain a healthy weight. In Canada, overweight and obesity among children and teens is increasing. Health problems related to being overweight are now happening at a much earlier age. And being overweight or obese later in life increases the risk of certain cancers.
Tips
- Give kids a healthy start by being active yourself.
- Look for children’s CDs that feature active games and dance for toddlers.
- Keep activity fun. Try games like tag and hide-and-seek for younger kids.
- Set limits on screen time (TV, computers, video games and so on). Replace screen time with something active.
- Find something active that your child likes to do, and encourage it. Not every child will enjoy playing a sport or taking dance lessons. If your child has tried an activity and didn’t enjoy it, let it go. Instead, try to find another active pastime they’ll get excited about.
- Work exercise into other things your child likes to do. If they love to read and have no interest in sports, get to the library by walking or cycling.
- Make time for the entire family to be active. Try walking, bicycling or skating together.
- Take kids on active family trips like short hikes, a day at the beach, camping, skiing or tobogganing.