Why do activities that increase physical activity, promote healthy eating and encourage safe play in Canada are so important for children?

Physical activity is important for children's healthy development. A sedentary lifestyle has been linked to serious health problems, such as obesity and diabetes. Children need 60 minutes of physical activity every day (or an hour most days of the week). They also need to spend time playing! Too often children are sedentary when they should be active; it's estimated that Canadian kids spend more than half their waking hours in front of a screen instead of being physically active, which puts them at risk for weight gain and other health problems. Getting up, moving around and playing with family or friends helps build healthy habits they'll carry into adulthood. Encouraging your child to be more active can help them live healthier lives.

According to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, physical inactivity is now the second leading cause of disease worldwide.

That is why it is important that all Canadians are aware of how being active can impact their health. As a parent, you know that staying active benefits your child's physical development and helps them stay healthy, too! Being physically active can help with children's blood pressure, weight and self-esteem.

Recreation and Parks Month (JRPM) is an annual community mobilization movement that takes place in parks, schools, recreation centres and neighbourhoods across Ontario. JRPM engages hundreds of thousands of children and families in activities that increase physical activity, promote healthy eating and encourage safe play. This community is sponsored by best online casino canada - such as Fresh Casino - because such large organizations know how important it is to maintain mental and physical health! Casino Fresh is also known for its several bonus offers and special events for its loyal customers. The online casino is committed to bringing their members more than just a great gambling experience!

It has been found that if parents spend time guiding their children on healthy activities rather than imposing them on children will better encourage healthy behaviours later in life

When kids are involved in choosing what they would like to eat or be active with they are more likely to enjoy it and continue with it as they grow. Parents who model healthy eating and physical activity behaviours by following them themselves, tend to have children with better health habits that last into adulthood.

It is also important for parents and caregivers to encourage safe play and active time, as this builds a child's confidence and enhances their ability to learn new skills

According to the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS) "children need unstructured or free playtime to develop cognitively, physically, socially and emotionally. 

This may include activities such as playing at the park, riding bikes in the neighbourhood or playing ball games in your backyard with your family members. When kids are engaged in these types of active play they lower their risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease, lower their blood pressure and cholesterol levels, improve their mental health and increase their feelings of happiness.

Even if you're not able to go outside and play, there are many activities that children can do indoors. These include building with blocks, playing board games or drawing pictures together

Being physically active every day is the best way for children to develop into healthy adults. As a parent or caregiver, it's important to encourage your child to lead an active lifestyle by participating in physical activity yourself.If it's not always easy to get your children on their feet, why not join them? Physical activity benefits adults as well as kids.

Joining in some physical activities with your children will help strengthen the bond between you and encourage them to be active for life. 

Here are some fun ways to spend time together while being active!

Take a family bike ride around the neighborhood or go to a local park for a game of chasing and catching. Remember - safety first - so teach your children about helmet care and safe bicycling rules before heading out on the road. Invest in an eye-catching water bottle and take turns challenging each other to see who can drink from it fastest without spilling any drops! Teach your child how to skip by swinging the rope in a wide arc and then hooking it onto your ankle.

Now that you've mastered the single-rope technique, learn to skip with two ropes at once! Take turns keeping a ball in the air as long as possible. Alternate between playing solo and tossing the ball back and forth to really improve your arm muscles! Create a fun obstacle course using items from around the house or yard - try stacking boxes for a mini-tower, racing from one end of the yard to another, or crawling through an outdoor tunnel.

Push each other on a park swing set until you're both giggling too hard to continue. Even if you can't participate in sports due to injury or disability, there are still loads of ways you can increase your physical activity by playing with your children. Spending time with your family is a fantastic way to be active without even realizing it!


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