Two-thirds of Canadian children and youth are not active enough to lay a solid foundation for future health and well-being. According to a 1997 analysis by the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute, the proportion varies substantially across the country, with children in the Western provinces being more likely (39%) to meet the guidelines for optimal growth and healthy development than children in Quebec (28%). But regardless of region, a solid majority of children everywhere is not sufficiently active.

According to researchers who have reviewed the research on the benefits of physical activity for children, children should expend 6 to 8 kilocalories per day for each kilogram of body weight. Children can achieve this expenditure by combining light, moderate and vigorous activities. For example, they can engage in

• one hour of vigorous play every day or
• a half-hour of vigorous play plus one hour of lighter activity such as walking to school.

The activity need not be continuous. In fact, it can easily build on children's natural tendency to intersperse bouts of vigorous activity with periods of lighter play. All kinds of physical activities count — structured and unstructured, at school, at home, in recreational settings or en route.

Participation in moderate-to-vigorous intensity activities

• enhances psychological well-being,
• increases "good" cholesterol levels and
• boosts cardiovascular fitness.

Regula rphysical activity also helps to

• improve self-concept,
• better self-esteem,
• increase physical competence and
• overcome boredom and provide positive leisure pursuits.

The benefits don't stop in childhood. Regular physical activity also lays the foundation for an active lifestyle in adulthood. Childhood is the ideal time for developing the habit of regular physical activity, which provides important health benefits when pursued throughout adulthood. Childhood is also a prime time for learning the skills required to participate in a wide variety of physical activity, a sure way to maintain interest and motivation in physical activity long into adulthood.