With only 1 in 3 Canadian children achieving the recommended physical activity levels, the health of our children has become a major topic of concern.
Screen time and childhood obesity levels are on the rise. According to the most recent ParticipACTION study, 76% of those aged three to four, and 51% of those aged five to 17, are engaging in more screen time than recommended by the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines. And, according to the Government of Canada, obesity rates among Canadian children and youth have nearly tripled in the last three decades.
It’s not surprising that more and more parents are worried about their children’s physical health, as well as its impact on their school performance, mental health and sleep habits.
The good news is that the younger you are, the easier it is to develop healthy habits that stick! It takes time to implement new habits but staying consistent with the tips below can help children build a healthy foundation which will allow them to thrive throughout their lifetime.
One of the best (and often hardest) ways to ensure healthy behaviour is by setting the example.
Making exercise a priority, playing sports and being active yourself is the surest way to pass down an active lifestyle. Your children look up to you, and if they witness you enjoying exercise, they’ll be more likely to want to do the same.
Not only will being active together improve both yours and your child’s health, but it provides great opportunities to bond. The options are endless — hiking, skating, biking, swimming, going for walks or simply going for walks. Start them young with visits to the playground or parent and tot play sessions.
Family and holiday get-togethers don’t always have to take place around the table, and more active traditions are a great way to help keep the whole family moving. Organize a friendly game of touch football or capture the flag, bring a frisbee or soccer ball to the next barbecue party, and go snowshoeing or play in the snow together in the winter.
Encourage your child to join with a like-minded friend to support and encourage one another.
Sharing an active hobby with someone is great for motivation, accountability, competition and provides more opportunities to practice. Kids are more willing to try something out of their comfort zone with a friend. This tip is especially helpful for youth as most older kids are more likely to continue with hobbies they share with their peers.
Talk to your child about the importance of activity and the benefits for them both now and in the future. Explain the mental health, sleep and school performance benefits associated with exercise, which you can learn more about here.
Communication about physical health over body image is critical as youth are growing up with increasing pressures from the media and society in general.
Showing your support by volunteering, coaching and getting involved can make a difference. Encouraging and supporting your child’s hobbies may likely be the push they need to stick with it and push themselves to be better.
Even the simple act of showing up and cheering them on can go a long way!
It’s a simple concept, really — if you enjoy doing something, you’ll want to do it more often.
Help your children find a physical activity that really intrigues and excites them. Kids are more likely to stick with hobbies they love and work harder to develop the skills associated with it.
Does your child enjoy team sports, or prefer more independent activities? Do they love being out in nature, or prefer the indoors? What other role models and interests do they have that could transfer into a physical activity?
If they are struggling to find an active hobby, seek out beginner type classes, summer camps or programs that encompass different activities each week to keep them interested and find out what works best for them.
Kids can try out a ton of new activities and parents can learn about local program options at this free community event taking place in Kelowna this May. The Okanagan hosts a variety of program options and YMCA Healthy Kids Day offers a convenient way to learn about many of them all in one place.
YMCA Healthy Kids Day aims to go loud about kids’ health. The event, presented by Interior Savings, allows families to get active together while connecting with healthy resources and learning about new ways to have fun.
All are welcome, and the event is entirely free of charge. There will be prizes, entertainment, a healthy barbecue and over 50 activities for kids of all ages to enjoy. Dozens of community partners will be in attendance, giving attendees the opportunity to connect with sports, camps, arts, and mental wellness and educational organizations while having fun together.
The annual event, hosted by the YMCA of Okanagan, will take place outside and inside the Kelowna Family Y on Sunday, May 5th from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
If you are searching for ways to improve your family’s health and well-being, this is a great place to start! You can find more information about the event here.
The YMCA of Okanagan was established over 30 years ago as a cause-driven charity with a mission dedicated to building healthy individuals and communities. They provide a wide range of programs and services with a focus on inclusiveness and accessibility, serving people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities through all stages of life.
NowMedia sponsored content is written and posted in partnership with participating businesses. While NowMedia retains editorial control of sponsored content, the content is created in collaboration with the sponsor.
If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter.
If you appreciate what we do, we ask that you consider supporting our local independent news platform.
