The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Saskatchewan in motion is pleased that this year's Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth draws a clear link between physical activity and academic performance. Active Healthy Kids Canada's 2009 Report Card demonstrates that children who are physically active perform better in school then those who aren't. Interestingly, academic performance improves even when academic learning time is reduced to allow time for physical activity. "We all understand the health benefits of physical activity," says Cathie Kryzanowski, manager of Saskatchewan in motion. "This evidence gives us another important reason to make sure the kids in our lives move every day. The responsibility for making that happen should be shared between schools, communities and families." The Report Card notes that by improving memory, concentration and attention span, physical activity has a positive effect on children's achievement in math, reading, grades, perceptual skill and overall academic readiness. Physical activity has also been shown to increase self-confidence, self-esteem, self-image and connection to school. Ontario children who participated in a comprehensive school health initiative that included physical activity as a key element showed a 36 per cent increase in reading and a 24 per cent increase in math scores over a two-year period. These findings are mirrored in various international, national and regional studies. "We have examples right here in Saskatchewan that clearly demonstrate how taking time away from academic learning for physical activity can actually improve academic performance," says Kryzanowski. Despite the academic and health benefits of physical activity, the 2009 Report Card assigned an F for physical activity levels among Canadian children and youth for the third consecutive year. Only 13 per cent of children and youth in Canada meet the minimum recommendation of 90 minutes of physical activity a day. Again this year, the Report Card assigned an F for Screen Time, as 90 per cent of Canadian children and youth spend far too much time in front of television, computer and video screens. "There are a lot of easy ways to get kids moving,"she says. "The easiest way is for kids to get 30 minutes of physical activity every day at school, 30 minutes through community programs and 30 minutes through active play with family and friends. "Walking to ad from school or limiting screen time are some of the easiest ways to make a difference." The 19 grades assigned in the national Report Card include: D for usage of families, programs, parks and playgrounds B for school infrastructure and equipment C for physical education in schools B+ for community programming C+ for provincial government strategies and investment D for municipal policies and regulations Despite the low grade across Canada, there are positive signs Saskatchewan is moving in the right direction. More than half of Saskatchewan school are "in motion"Ð meaning they're committed to providing 30 minutes of physical activity for every student every day. Saskatchewan in motion is working with Active Healthy Kids Canada to produce a Saskatchewan supplement to the national Report Card. Kryzanowski is confident the supplement will demonstrate that Saskatchewan is leading the country when it comes to increasing physical activity for children and youth. "That's the focus of our work right now. There's still plenty of room for improvement," she says. "But we're seeing some exciting things happen in Saskatchewan schools, communities and families." Saskatchewan in motion is a province-wide movement aimed at increasing physical activity for health, social, economic and environmental benefits.
