1 / 18

The Physical Inactivity Epidemic: Are Canadian Children at Risk?

The Physical Inactivity Epidemic: Are Canadian Children at Risk?. Claire LeBlanc MD, FRCP, Dip Sport Med . Physical Inactivity Statistics *. 63% of 5-17 y.o. not active enough for optimal growth Adolescents less active than children 2-12 years old (33% vs 43%)

huslu
Download Presentation

The Physical Inactivity Epidemic: Are Canadian Children at Risk?

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The Physical Inactivity Epidemic: Are Canadian Children at Risk? Claire LeBlanc MD, FRCP, Dip Sport Med

  2. Physical Inactivity Statistics * • 63% of 5-17 y.o. not active enough for optimal growth • Adolescents less active than children 2-12 years old (33% vs 43%) • Decline in activity with age and gender (girls at 14-15 yrs vs boys 16-17 yrs) • Girls less active than boys: 30% vs 50% at 5-12 yrs vs 25% vs 40% at 13-17 yrs • Girls - less intense physical activities * Physical Activity Monitor 1999. CFLRI

  3. Health Implications of Physical Inactivity • WHO definition of health: comprehensive state of physical, psychological, and social well being • Childhood obesity • Type 2 diabetes • Hypertension • Osteoporosis • Depression • Smoking/alcohol/drugs • Adolescent pregnancy

  4. High Blood Pressure • ~ 3 million USA youths affected • Associated with obesity • Tracking from adolescence into adulthood established: ~ 50% boys, ~ 40% girls remained HT 8 yrs later * * Anderson and Haraldsdottir J Int Med 1993;234:309-315

  5. Osteoporosis • 1 in 4 women > 50 y with osteoporosis • Annual cost hip fracture treatment $650 million * • Bone accretion in first 20 yrs major factor in final bone mass + bone health later yrs *Wiktorowicz et al. Osteoporos Int 2001;12(4):271-8

  6. Canadian Youth Mental Health - Depression • 113,000 Canadian 12-17 year olds depressed • Suicide 2nd leading cause of injury-related death in adolescence • 35% grade 10 students depressed 1 or more times/week in prior 6 months (1998) * *Trends in Health of Canadian Youth. Health Canada 1999

  7. Canadian Youth Mental Health - Smoking • Average age onset smoking  from 16 to 12 years over past 2 decades* • 1998grade 10 smokers – 28% boys, 34% girls** • Weekly smokers unlikely to quit thus become adult smokers*** *CPS position statement Ped & child health 2001;6(2):89-95 **Trends in Health of Canadian Youth. Health Canada, 1999 ***Kelder et al Am J Public Health 1994;84(7):1121-26

  8. Canadian Youth Mental Health – Drugs * • 1998 grade 10 students > 90% had tried alcohol • 43% grade 10’s “very drunk” > 2 x in 1998 • 1998 grade 10’s: 42% MJ, 13% LSD, 6% cocaine, 9% amphetamines * Trends in Health of Canadian Youth. Health Canada 1999

  9. Canadian Youth Mental Health - Delinquency • ~ 20% School drop out rate in 1991 •  Youth violence 106% vs  45% adults 1986-1991* • 75,000 youths/yr charged with crimes in Canadian courts * Smart et al J Psychoactive Drugs 1997;29(4):369-373

  10. Canadian Youth Pregnancy * • Teen pregnancy dropped between 1975-1987 but has increased since 1990 • 2.7% incidence pregnancy 15-17 y.o. in 1990 • 52% 15-17 year olds continue pregnancy to term * CPS position statement Canadian J Ped 1994;1(2):58-60 reaffirmed Jan 2000

  11. Is Physical Activity the Answer?

  12. P A reduces Hypertension and Osteoporosis • Aerobic exercise reduces systolic and diastolic BP in adolescents with hypertension* • High impact exercises during puberty improves bone mineral content** *Hansen et al. BMJ 1991;303:682-5 **Heinonen et al Osteoporos Int 2000;11:1010-17

  13. Physical Activity Improves Mental Health • Regular PA may increase self esteem • Regular PA may decrease anxiety/depression* • Some evidence shows teen girls have lower rates of sexual activity and pregnancy when  PA** • Some evidenced regular PA associated with  smoking, alcohol and drug abuse *K.J. Calfas, W.C. Taylor. Ped Exerc Sci 1994. 6:406-423 **Sabo et al. J Adolesc Health 1999;25:207-16

  14. Physical Activity Improves School Performance* • Positive associations with PA and academic performance • Some evidence good grades same or better with  regular PA despite reduction in academic class time • Regular PA may improve attitudes, discipline and behavior** *R.J. Shephard. Pediatric Exercise Science 1997. 9:113-126 **Keays and Allison. Can J Public Health 1995;86(1):62-65

  15. Why are Canadian Children Inactive? • TV, computer, Nintendo • Inactive parents • Inadequate access to quality physical education classes • Lack of recreational facilities

  16. The Battle Against Physical Inactivity Is Not a Solo Fight

  17. Recommendations • Parents, children, youth, schools, school boards, recreation leaders, medical and allied health personnel, all levels of government need to work together to promote regular PA • Limit sedentary behaviors (TV, video/computer games) • Parents to lead by example (Family oriented PA) • PA outside of gym class curriculum • School and community co-operative efforts • Policies to ensure safe equipment, facilities and routes to and from school • Policies to mandate daily K-12 quality school phys-ed classes by trained specialists

  18. Recommendations • Promote and help disseminate Canada’s Physical Activity Guide for Healthy Active Living for Children and Youth

More Related