Canadian children failing at ‘physical literacy’
In school, Canada’s children learn to become literate in language, mathematics and other subjects.
But when it comes to fitness activities, two-thirds of Canadian children studied would be handed a failing grade for “physical literacy.”
More than 1,300 Lethbridge-area children, surveyed as part of a national study, fared no better.
“We know how vitally important physical activity is to health and wellness across the lifespan,” explains Jennifer Copeland, a researcher in the Kinesiology and Physical Education department at the University of Lethbridge.
“It is important that we understand how to ensure children develop sufficient physical literacy, so they can maintain and enjoy an active lifestyle as they grow up.”
The Lethbridge study, covering children aged eight to 12, was part of a survey of more than 10,000 students in 11 cities across Canada coordinated by a pediatric research institute at the University of Ottawa.
Physical literacy, Copeland says, includes such elements as motivation, confidence, knowledge and understanding the value of physical activity, as well as competence in some form of activity. Her researchers used questionnaires to discover what the children knew and felt about physical activity, as well as observing their physical ability.
Canada-wide, reports Copeland, just 20 per cent of the students who participated met current physical activity guidelines. The reports don’t compare one city against another.
But they show schools and other community resources should put greater emphasis on physical literacy, she says — and encourage students to spend less time interacting with a computer screen or smartphone. Results of the study were published this week along with a series of articles looking at various aspects of physical literacy, gathered by the Healthy Active Living and Obesity research group at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Mark Tremblay, a professor of pediatrics in Ottawa, says researchers are aware of growing rates of childhood obesity, falling rates of physical activity, and still more “screen time.”
“Physical literacy looks at different domains in children to give a better overall picture of children’s healthy active living and future health,” he says.
“Physically literate children are more active and healthy children, which sets them up for life.”