The 2005 Canadian Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth reports that less than half of Canadian children and youth are active enough on a daily basis to meet Health Canada guidelines for healthy growth and development. Only 38% of girls and 48% of boys are considered active enough according to Stats Canada. This lack of physical activity and poor nutrition has lead to a significant increase in obesity, diabetes, and heart disease in our youth, with Newfoundland rates leading the country. To help guard against these diseases and other illnesses associated with physical inactivity, it is essential that children and youth engage in active healthy lifestyles.

Active students fit for better grades
The Toronto Star (Jun 09, 2008 Louise Brown Education Reporter) writes that when a quarter-million Ontario school children were prepping for last week's province-wide tests in the "3 Rs," they may have overlooked a surprising study tool. The workout.
New Ontario research shows schools that push fitness and nutrition have watched their standardized scores rise by as much as 50 per cent over two years in Grade 3 reading and 39 per cent in Grade 3 math - outscoring other schools in similar neighborhoods by about eight points across all three subjects.

A landmark study of 33 Ontario schools that are part of a health drive called Living Schools - where students exercise each day, play extra sports and are discouraged from eating junk food - saw overall scores climb by 18 per cent over two years in reading, writing and math, compared to about 4 per cent for similar schools not in the provincially funded program. Principals also said there were fewer fights and better attendance.

The small homegrown study conducted for the Ontario Physical and Health Education Association, echoes a growing body of international research that says daily physical activity – which boosts chemicals in the brain such as endorphins and norepinephrine (the fuel behind attention span) and stimulates the hippocampus part of the brain (the key to memory) and also boosts a sense of belonging at school - can cut stress, improve a child's mood and sharpen learning skills. The link is a wake-up call for Canadians shamed last week by a study showing children across the country spend four to six hours a day in front of a screen - landing the nation an F in physical activity. It also has implications for schools that argue they are too busy with literacy programs to find time for Ontario's new 20-minute daily workout.