Calgary,
19
June
2018
|
12:35
America/Denver

The City of Calgary encourages kids to keep moving following 2018 ParticipACTION Report Card

The City of Calgary is encouraging parents, children and youth to discover new ways to keep active following the release of the 2018 ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth. The report card gave Canadian kids a score of D+ for overall physical activity. This grade is particularly alarming considering that this year’s report card also highlights important connections between physical activity and kids’ brain health.

According to ParticipACTION, only 35 per cent of 5- to 17-year-olds and 62 per cent of 3- to 4-year-olds are getting the recommended physical activity levels for their age group. This may be having an impact on the health of their brains – kids may be less attentive, moody and not meeting their full potential both in and out of the classroom.

“Research findings, such as these ones, emphasize the need for focused approaches to ensure recreation is available to all citizens, of all ages and abilities,” says Heather Cowie, Manager, Calgary Recreation. “The City of Calgary aims to get more Calgarians, more active, more often.”

Each year, The City offers more than 10,000 registered programs and thousands of drop-in programs. City recreation programs and services are designed to create supportive, fun and inclusive environments that develop physical, creative and cultural/social literacy.

From free range play activities, like adventure playgrounds and mobile skateparks, to more structured programs, such as registered swim programs or day camps, The City of Calgary can help keep kids moving this summer. Learn more at Calgary.ca/recreation.

To view the 2018 ParticipACTION report card, visit www.participaction.com/reportcard.