Fitness

Canada’s Fight for Fitness

Canadians have a reputation for being healthy, but is it true?

In its 2004 Physical Activity Monitor, the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute found that only half of Canadians aged 20 and older are active.

Despite the popularity of parks and fitness facilities, such as the YMCA, modern conveniences have, unfortunately, made Canadians sedentary. According to the Canada’s Physical Activity Guide, watching TV, riding in cars, and taking elevators add to our inactivity.

As a result, organizations, such as Go for Green, are trying to increase Canadians’ physical activity. Go for Green, which promotes healthy physical activity that help to protect the environment, aided in organizing the annual International Walk to School Week in Canada which takes place in October. In 2006, thousands of Canadian students walked or wheeled to school that week.

Similarly, the Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, promotes a minimum of 30 minutes of physical education daily in schools for students from kindergarten to Grade 12. According to the association, only 12 per cent of girls and 24 per cent of boys in Canada are active enough to benefit their health.

This section is about fitness in Canada.