Youth Physical Activity

Health Canada recommends that youth get at least 90 minutes of physical activity every day and that they decrease their "non–active" time, time spent watching T.V. or playing video games, by the same amount each day. This will ensure that they are getting enough physical activity for optimal growth and development.

In 2005-2006, more than 20,000 Simcoe Muskoka students in Grades 9-12 participated in the SHAPES survey. Part of the survey assessed the amount of physical activity students engaged in the week prior to the survey. Responses were grouped into three levels of physical activity: active, moderately active and inactive (see definition for details). Survey results showed that 60% (59.5%, 60.9%) were physically active, 26% (25.1%, 26.3%) were moderately active and 11% (10.4%, 11.3%) were inactive.

According to the 2007 CCHS, 79% (68.8%, 88.5%) of Simcoe Muskoka youth between 12 and 19 years of age had active to moderately active leisure time physical activity. This was higher than for the Province of Ontario overall, where 68% (64.9%, 70.4%) of youth (12-19 yrs old) had active to moderately active leisure time physical activity.