Physical activity is defined as any movement of the body that expends energy, and increases breathing and heart rate.[1] People who are active have better physical health and are at lower risk of developing chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis.[2] Physical activity also benefits mental health.[3] Research shows that children who are physically active have higher self-esteem and experience less depression and anxiety.[4]
Youth who report meeting physical activity guidelines |
About the MeasureThis measure is collected from the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph (WDG) Youth Survey that gathers self-reported well-being data from grade 7 and 10 students. The survey asks students about their weekly physical activity habits. The responses are compared to Canada’s Physical Activity Guidelines to determine if youth are meeting the recommendation that youth engage in 60 or more minutes of physical activity per day, every day. Key FindingsAcross Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph, there are large differences in physical activity levels between grades and genders. More grade 7 students than grade 10 students report activity levels that meet the recommended guidelines. In both grades, males are more likely to report meeting physical activity guidelines than females or students who identified as non-binary. Data at the municipal level can be found in the downloadable Excel file at the bottom of this page.
Loading Chart...
Source: WDG Youth Survey, 2017-18. WDG Report Card Coalition. Last updated August 2, 2018.
LimitationsThe WDG Youth Survey collects self-reported data and is subject to response and recall bias. Data from the 2017-18 survey cannot be compared to data from the 2011-12 or 2014-15 surveys. Changes to Canada’s Physical Activity Guidelines occurred between 2014-15 and 2017-18.
|
[1] Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology. (2012). Canadian physical activity, and sedentary behaviour guidelines. Ottawa, ON: Available at: http://www.csep.ca/cmfiles/guidelines/csep_guidelines_handbook.pdf
[2] Warburton, D. E., Nicol, C. W., & Bredin, S. S. (2006). Health benefits of physical activity: the evidence. Canadian medical association journal, 174(6), 801-809.
[3] Ahn, S., & Fedewa, A. L. (2011). A meta-analysis of the relationship between children's physical activity and mental health. Journal of pediatric psychology, jsq107.
[4] Nieman, P. (2002). Psychosocial aspects of physical activity. Paediatrics & child health, 7(5), 309.