The Physical Inactivity Epidemic: Are
Canadian Children at Risk?
Claire LeBlanc
MD, FRCP, Dip Sport Med
Physical Inactivity Statistics *




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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
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
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
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
Canadian Youth Mental Health
- Depression

113,000 Canadian 1217 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
Canadian Youth
Mental Health - Smoking



Average age onset
smoking  from 16 to 12
years over past 2 decades*
1998 grade 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
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
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
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
Is Physical Activity the
Answer?
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
Physical Activity Improves
Mental Health

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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
Physical Activity Improves
School Performance*
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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
Why are Canadian Children
Inactive?

TV, computer,
Nintendo
 Inactive parents
 Inadequate access to
quality physical
education classes
 Lack of recreational
facilities
The Battle Against Physical
Inactivity Is Not a Solo Fight
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
Recommendations

Promote and help
disseminate Canada’s
Physical Activity
Guide for Healthy
Active Living for
Children and Youth