Are Canadian Kids Too Tired to Move?

A groundswell of interest in the connection between these behaviours is highlighting the fact that sleep deprivation is a problem in Canadian kids: Only 9% of Canadian kids aged 5 to 17 get the 60 minutes of heart-pumping activity they need each day.2012-13 CHMS Only 24% of 5- to 17-year-olds meet the Canadian Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines Canadian recommendation of no more than 2 hours of re [...] And well- The perils of a sleep-deprived generation are not limited to rested children are not healthy if they are not getting kids being tired and cranky; they show their fatigue in enough activity.13 different ways.18 Some effects of sleep deprivation in kids are obvious and some are not so obvious: To stem the creeping “sleepidemic,” kids need to get off the couch, get outdoors and get their he [...] Children with reduced sleep are more likely to struggle with verbal creativity and problem solving, and generally score lower on IQ tests.20,21 A short sleep duration produces adverse hormonal changes like those associated with increased risks of obesity, diabetes and hypertension.20 ABOUT THE REPORT CARD Chronic sleep loss is linked to higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts.22,23 [...] Over the years, the Report Card has been replicated in numerous Grade 5 students with higher physical activity cities, provinces and countries, where it has levels are less likely to be sleepy during the daytime.25 served as a blueprint for collecting and sharing Active transportation (e.g., walking or biking) and knowledge about the physical activity of young outdoor play increase exposure to [...] The majority of provinces and According to parents, meet the minimum recommended support their kids’ physical territories reported increased or . level of physical literacy.2011-16 CAPL activity.2010-11 PAM maintained funding to sport 77% of 5- to 19-year-olds participate in organized physical At least one study shows 36% of parents and physical activity for children.