For Immediate Release
February 12, 2010
Make physical activity your family tradition
Saskatchewan in motion encourages families to choose Family Day (February 15) to start a tradition of being active together.
Being active as a family is important because research tells us that 85% of Saskatchewan kids are not active enough for optimal growth and development according to federal guidelines.
"We're asking families to jump in and do their part to get our kids active", says Cathie Kryzanowski, Provincial Manager for Saskatchewan in motion. "Help make sure your kids move at least 30 minutes every day at home. Ask them what they like to do and give them the support they need by being active with them."
Choose an activity that the entire family can participate in - walk the dog, toboggan, skate, shovel the sidewalks, play a game of shinny - whatever makes family time fun and active for you.
The 2009 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth Saskatchewan Supplement revealed that only 15% of Saskatchewan kids ages 5 to 19 get the physical activity they need. Health Canada recommends that children and youth get a minimum of 60 to 90 minutes of physical activity each day.
Making that happen is a shared responsibility. If families, school and communities each provide 30 minutes of physical activity every day for children and youth, our kids will get the physical activity they need.
"We're asking families to make sure their kids have what they need to move at home, at school and in the community," says Kryzanowski. "Family Day is a great time to start. So, jump in, and do your part to get our kids moving!"
Information, tips and tools on being a family in motion are available at www.saskatchewaninmotion.ca. Visit often and watch for announcements on Families in motion coming soon!
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For more information, go to www.saskatchewaninmotion.ca or contact Cathie Kryzanowski at 1-866-888-3648 or email info@saskatchewaninmotion.ca.
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
September 15, 2009
Only 15% of Saskatchewan kids are active enough
Active Healthy Kids Canada releases the first Report Card on Physical Activity for Children & Youth – Saskatchewan Supplement.
REGINA (SASKATCHEWAN) SEPT 15, 2009 – Only 15% of Saskatchewan children and youth are meeting physical activity guidelines—only slightly above the national average of 13%. This is according to the inaugural Saskatchewan Supplement to Active Healthy Kids Canada’s Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth, launched today at the University of Regina’s Centre for Kinesiology, Health & Sport, in partnership with Saskatchewan in motion.
The Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card - Saskatchewan Supplement is a compilation of the most current available information relating to physical activity levels among children and youth in the province. It is the first ever regional supplement, and the first to take a more thorough examination of physical activity in kids at a provincial level. ”If we want to address the physical inactivity crisis in our children, we need to be looking at the unique research and issues in each province, territory, and in municipalities,” says Dr. Mark Tremblay, Chief Scientific Officer, Active Healthy Kids Canada, “While it’s not all good news for Saskatchewan kids, this data will help to inform policies, programs and campaigns to help us secure a healthier, more active future for kids in unique communities across Canada.
“The findings indicate that while we are on the right track in Saskatchewan, there is still a long way to go. 15% is not acceptable,” says Cathie Kryzanowski, provincial manager of Saskatchewan in motion. “We are asking everyone to jump in and do their part to increase the physical activity levels of our province’s children and youth. Be active and help Saskatchewan kids to move more.”
To get kids moving, Saskatchewan in motion suggests the formula of 30, 30, 30. That means that every child should get 30 minutes of physical activity at school, 30 minutes in the community and 30 minutes at home. That all adds up to the 90 minutes of daily physical activity recommended in Canada’s Physical Activity Guides. It’s an easy way for parents, schools and the community to work together to get kids moving.
The Saskatchewan Supplement also recommends increased funding for physical activity in the province, the formation of a dedicated research committee, better evaluation of physical education in Saskatchewan and the production of a Saskatchewan Supplement every three years.
“We believe the knowledge gained through research is instrumental in helping us move forward,” adds Kryzanowski. “We are keen to continue collaborating with researchers to address some of the knowledge gaps on this issue in Saskatchewan.”
To view the Saskatchewan Supplement of the Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth, go to www.saskatchewaninmotion.ca or www.activehealthykids.ca.
About Active Healthy Kids Canada
Active Healthy Kids Canada was established as a charitable organization in 1994 to advocate the importance of physical activity for children and youth where they live, learn and play. As a national leader in this area, Active Healthy Kids Canada advances knowledge to influence decision‐makers at all levels, from policy‐makers to parents, in order to increase the attention given to, investment in, and effective implementation of physical activity opportunities for all Canadian children and youth.
About Saskatchewan in motion
Saskatchewan in motion is a province-wide movement aimed at increasing physical activity for health, social, environmental and economic benefits. The vision is that the people of Saskatchewan will be the healthiest, most physically active in Canada. Saskatchewan in motion encourages families, schools and communities to share responsibility in increasing the physical activity levels of our children and youth.
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MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
February 12, 2009
Families in motion
Saskatchewan in motion joins people across Saskatchewan in celebrating Family Day on Monday, February 16th. What better way to celebrate Family Day – and every day as a family – than to be active together!
Choose an activity that the entire family can participate in – walk the dog, toboggan, skate, shovel the sidewalks, play a game of shinny – whatever makes family time fun and active for you.
“Physical activity is a great way for families to spend time together,” said Her Honour Naomi Barnhart, a long distance runner who enjoys downhill skiing with her family. “It is very important for parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles to set a positive example for children by leading an active lifestyle. When my daughter was young, I made a point of playing with her outdoors every day; we cycled, swam, rollerbladed, and went tobogganing together. I am delighted that my daughter has chosen to continue to lead an active lifestyle as a young adult.”
There are so many benefits to being physically active. It helps develop healthy minds and bodies, develops strong muscles and bones, helps reduce risk factors for many preventable illnesses and conditions, improves self esteem, and so much more.
“Being a family in motion is important because research tells us 9 out of 10 Canadian kids are not sufficiently active enough for optimal growth and development according to federal guidelines,” said Cathie Kryzanowski, Provincial Manager for Saskatchewan in motion. “Help make sure your kids can move every day. Ask them what they like to do to move at home, at school and in the community. Give them the support they need by being active with them”.
Health Canada recommends that children and youth get a minimum of 60-90 minutes of physical activity each day.
Be a family in motion. Let’s set the example. Because if we’re not active, our kids won’t be either. To learn more about how to become a family in motion, go to www.saskatchewaninmotion.ca.
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For more information:
www.saskatchewaninmotion.ca
Cathie Kryzanowski or Corinna Dahl-Ritco
Phone: 1-866-888-3648
info@saskatchewaninmotion.ca
MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
October 1, 2008
OCTOBER IS IN MOTION MONTH IN SASKATCHEWAN
Saskatchewan schools, workplaces and communities are celebrating in motion month by recognizing people who use active transportation to get around. In motion action teams across the province are catching people in motion and recognizing them for walking, running, cycling or rolling instead of driving to places like work or school.
Adults need 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five days a week to get lasting health benefits. Children and teens need 60-90 minutes. Research shows that only 10% of kids and 54% of adults meet these national standards. Cathie Kryzanowski, manager of Saskatchewan in motion, says active transportation can help.
“Active transportation is one of the easiest ways to build physical activity into your day and make the habit stick,” says Kryzanowski. “Leaving the car at home is good for your health, good for the environment and good for your wallet.”
Participating in motion schools, communities and workplaces will be hitting the streets this month with digital cameras, trying to catch people walking, running, cycling or rolling to a destination in their community. Anyone caught in motion will be featured in their community and have a chance to win one of three iPod nanos.
Active transportation is also the theme of other October activities like International Walk to School Week (October 6-8, 2008) and International Walk to School Day (October 8, 2008).
“Active transportation plays a big role in our efforts to make the people of this province the healthiest, most physically active in Canada,” says Kryzanowski. “We hope people get involved during in motion month and then keep up the momentum by making physical activity part of their daily routines for life.”
People can visit www.saskatchewaninmotion.ca for easy ideas for incorporating physical activity into their daily lives.
Saskatchewan in motion is a province-wide movement aimed at increasing physical activity for health, social, environmental and economic benefits. The movement includes thousands of individuals, more than 150 communities, 440 schools, 430 workplaces and 800 champions and leaders across the province.
For more information:Sara Toth
Saskatchewan in motion
306-780-9472
REPORT CARD RESULTS DISAPPOINTING, BUT NOT SURPRISING
REGINA – Saskatchewan in motion is disappointed, but not surprised by the results of Canada’s Report Card on Physical Activity for Children & Youth.
For the fourth year in a row, Active Healthy Kids Canada has given Canada an overall grade of D. The report card is a comprehensive overview of issues related to physical activity in children and youth. Although the report card shows that Canada hasn’t made measureable progress, Cathie Kryzanowski, manager of Saskatchewan in motion, says there is good news.
“Across Saskatchewan, in motion communities and schools are doing some amazing things to address this issue. It just takes time before we can expect to see the behavior change we’re looking for,” says Kryzanowski.
While the report card is a comprehensive overview of issues, this year it focuses on screen time and physical activity. Both areas received a grade of F. Key findings in those areas include:
• Only 10% of children and youth are meeting physical activity guidelines
• Studies show many kids spend 4-6 hours in front of a screen each weekday (no more than two hours a day is recommended)
Saskatchewan in motion is working with Active Healthy Kids Canada to develop a Saskatchewan version of the report card, which will be released in the next year. The organization’s strategic plan for the next three years focuses on improving the report card in Saskatchewan. It includes strategies that will help raise the grade in family, school and community settings.
“Children need 60-90 minutes of physical activity a day,” says Kryzanowski. “Making that happen is a shared responsibility.”
Saskatchewan in motion is a province-wide movement aimed at increasing physical activity for health, social, economic and environmental benefits. The full Canadian report card is available at www.activehealthykids.ca.
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For more information:
Kim Herperger
Saskatchewan in motion
Phone: 306-780-9465
www.saskatchewaninmotion.ca
