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| An introduction to the Healthy Kids Active Kids Strategy. |
The complete physical activity strategy and its background. |
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Research on physical activity levels and behaviours, and supportive practices in Nova Scotia.
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| Supporting information, promotional materials, leaders and partners. |
Links to municipal, regional and provincial programs and initiatives associated to AKHK. |
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A monthly basic bulletin for partners of AKHK |
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Freeze-tag, dance, basketball, swimming, cycling and skating all boil down to one common thing – fun.
Ask a child what they get from their favourite recreation and sport activities. Chances are you will not hear them say they are participating to prevent obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, depression and some forms of cancer. No, they will refer to the fun-factor—as it should be.
As for the adults who influence children’s daily conditions and environments, we need to appreciate that regular physical activity is essential to healthy child development and the prevention of serious health issues. Inactive youth are more likely to be inactive adults.
Research shows that physical activity, done regularly:
- Strengthens the heart and muscles
- Builds strong bones
- Promotes good posture and balance
- Improves fitness
- Increases relaxation
- Improves physical self esteem
- Achieves healthy weight (with healthy eating)
These benefits help promote overall health and prevent mental and physical illness. Despite these benefits, by grade 11, less than 10% of Nova Scotian youth are active for the necessary 60 minutes a day, five days a week. That means over 90% of youth in grade 11 are too inactive for optimal development and health. Physical inactivity among children and youth is becoming epidemic in Nova Scotia.
The Active Kids Healthy Kids Strategy (AKHK) sets out to achieve a physically active culture at home, school and community. It promotes unstructured and structured physical activity where we live, learn, play, commute and work.
The goal is to increase the number of children and youth who accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate or higher intensity physical activity at least five days a week.
Active Kids Healthy Kids is a physical activity strategy for children, youth and families in Nova Scotia. AKHK is a comprehensive strategy shared by government, non-government organizations, and residents of Nova Scotia. It was introduced in fall of 2002 and the renewed strategy was released in the fall of 2007.
While physical activity behaviour of families in Nova Scotia is a serious health matter, at the centre of it all, there will always be fun. And thank goodness for that.
Did you know?
Physically active children and youth tend to have:
- more confidence
- more self discipline
- higher academic performance
- reduced chances of tobacco-use
- reduced chances of unlawful acts
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