CANADA

Local opportunities for physical activity and Sport: Trends from 1999 – 2004
ISBN # 1-895724-49-X

You can download sections of the report or the full report free of charge click here:

A classification of active represents an average daily energy expenditure of at least 3 kilocalories per kilogram (KKD) of body weight during the previous 12 months. Moderately active represents average energy-expenditure values that are greater than 1.5 and less than 3.0 KKD. Inactive corresponds to average energy-expenditure values of less than or equal to 1.5. For the purposes of goal reporting, physical activity combines moderately and active categories (1.5 KKD or greater).

• Active, if they walked at least 1 hour every day (3.0+ KKD);
• Moderately active, if they walked 1/2 hour every day (1.5–2.9 KKD); and,
• Inactive, if they walked no more than 1/4 hour every day (<1.5 KKD).

Physical activity among adults

Based on data collected through the 2002/03 Canadian Community Health Survey:

• 49% of Canadians (aged 20 and older) are at least moderately active during their leisure time, accumulating at least 1.5 KKD of physical activity on average every day. This amount of physical activity could be achieved through walking a total of half an hour or more a day. Roughly one-quarter of adults are classified as moderately active (25%), while the same proportion are classified as active (24%).

• 51% of Canadians are inactive!
  

Physical activity among adults, 20 years and older

Walking and bicycling during leisure time-adults

• 69% of Canadians aged 20 and older report walking during their leisure time during the past 3 months.

• 20% of adults report bicycling during the past 3 months.

• People living in British Columbia and Alberta are most likely to report walking, whereas residents of Quebec are the least likely.

• Residents of the Atlantic Provinces and Ontario are less likely to report that they bicycle; yet those in Quebec are more likely to report bicycling.

• Women are more likely than men to report walking for exercise, whereas men are more likely than women to report bicycling.

Physical Activity among teenagers (12-19 years old)

• 49% are active during their leisure time, accumulating the equivalent of at least one hour of walking a day (3+ KKD). However, only 21% are accumulating enough daily activity to meet the international guidelines for optimal growth and development (6+ KKD).

Physical activity among youth, 12–19 years old

2002/03 Canadian Community Health Survey

1                Kilocalories/kilogram of body weight/day; an energy expenditure of 3 KKD is roughly equivalent to walking one hour every day.

–                Data unavailable because of insufficient sample size.

• 27% of Teenage boys are almost twice as likely as teenage girls (14%) to meet the international guidelines for optimal growth and development. They are also more likely to meet the 3+ KKD criteria.

• Teenagers, aged 12 to 14 are more likely to be active than those aged 15 to 19, according to both the 6.0+ KKD and the 3.0 KKD criteria. Although gender differences appear for both age groups, the gap is wider among older youth. That is, for the 3.0+ KKD criteria, 63% of girls 15–19 years are inactive compared to 44% of boys in the same age group; whereas 55% of girls aged 12–14 years and 43% of boys in the same age group are inactive.

Walking or bicycling during leisure time- youth aged 12-19

• 64% of Canadian adolescents (12–19 year olds) report walking during their leisure time during the past 3 months.

• 48% report bicycling.

• Adolescents living in Quebec are less likely than Canadian youth in general to report walking. Youth living in Quebec are more likely than youth overall to report that they bicycle, whereas those in the Territories are less likely to report bicycling.

• Girls (74%) are more likely than boys (54%) to report walking for exercise, whereas boys (56%) are more likely than girls (38%) to report bicycling.

Participation in organized physical activity or sport

• Over one-third of adults report that they have engaged in this type of activity at some point within the last year.

• When compared to Canadians overall, those living in the Northwest Territories (47%) and Saskatchewan (43%) are the most likely to say that they have participated in some type of organized activity. Quebec residents on the other hand, are less likely than other Canadians to report this, with only 29% of residents indicating that they have been involved in organized activities within the last year.

• Significantly more sport participants (56%) report that they have engaged in organized physical activities or sports in their community at some point within the last year compared to the general population. Sport participants in the Atlantic region and in the North are more likely than sport participants overall to report participating in these types of activities.
  

Participation in unorganized physical activity or sport

• 70% of Canadians say that they have participated in this type of activity at some point during the past year.

• Those living in the Northwest Territories are more likely than Canadians in general to participate in unorganized physical activities or sports, with 78% of respondents saying they have done so within the year.

• Compared to the general population, a significantly higher proportion of sport participants (83%) indicate that they participate in unorganized activity, such as walking or bicycling. Sport participants residing in the North are more likely to report this compared to sport participants overall.

Sport Participation in Canada

• 36% of the Canadian population (age 15 and older) state that they participate in sport.

• Among youth specifically (age 15-19), this percentage is substantially higher (61%) compared to the proportion for adults age 20 and older (34%).

• Residents of Newfoundland are less likely, whereas those in the North are more likely than the national population to report that they participate in sport.

• Men (age 15+) are almost twice as likely as women to report that they participate in sport. There is a dramatic decrease in the prevalence rate of sport participation with increasing age, where 66% of 15-17 year olds compared to 18% of adults age 65 or older report participating in sport.

• The gender gap increases among successive age groups and peaks among middle age adults, where 43% of men aged 45-64 years participated in sport compared to only 17% of women in this age group. However, among older adults (age 65+) the gender gap completely disappears with 18% of men and 18% of women of this age participating in sport.

Popular sports in Canada

• Sport participants were asked to list the top four sports that they participated in over the past year. The sports most prevalent among sport participants are hockey, golf, baseball, softball, fastball, racquet sports such as badminton and tennis, basketball, volleyball, skiing, cycling, water activities (swimming, diving, water polo), football or rugby, soccer, weight lifting, exercises and conditioning, curling, track and field, jogging or running, and hiking and walking.

• 53% of sport participants report participating in team sports compared to 46% participating in individual sports. Most (70%) participate in vigorous activities compared to 39% that participate in more moderate activities.

• Men are more likely to participate in hockey and golf.

• Women are more likely to participate in water activities.

• Women are slightly more likely than men to report participating in individual sports whereas men are more likely than women to report participating in team sports.

• Men are more likely than women to participate in vigorous-intensity sports, however, women and men are equally likely to report participating in moderate-intensity sports.

Type of sports participants

• 59% of sport participants 15 years of age or older participate in a competitive and structured environment.

• Less than one-quarter of sport participants participate in non-competitive but structured activities (16%) and in non-competitive and unstructured activities (22%). The remaining 3% participate in competitive sport in a unstructured environment.

• Men are more likely than women to participate in competitive and structured sporting activities whereas women are more likely to report participating in non-competitive and unstructured activities.

• The prevalence of sport participants reporting that they have engaged in competitive and structured sport is lower in successive older age groups, with 53% of older sport participants (65 years and older) saying that they have engaged in this type of activity compared to 81% of teenaged participants. Conversely, with increasing age, sport participants are more likely to report participating in non-competitive yet structured sports.

• Communities with less than 1,000 residents are significantly more likely to report participation in competitive and structured sport than those residing in the largest communities with 300,000 residents or more.

• Almost all sport participants (97%) compete in a competitive and structured sports environment.

• The majority (82%) of sports participants who have a coach participate in a competitive and structured environment compared to only 47% of those who do not have a coach.

Competition and training

• One-third of sport participants indicate that they receive coaching. The overwhelming majority (78%) compete at a local level, whereas 17% compete at a provincial level, and 4% compete at a national level. Sport participants in the Atlantic region are less likely to report that they compete at a local level compared to the overall population, yet are more likely report competing at a provincial level.

• Women are more likely than men to report that they use the services of a coach. The proportion of sport participants who indicate that they have a coach decrease with increasing age, where 68% of 15-17 year olds receive coaching compared to 24% of adults aged 45-64.

• There is no clear pattern in the relationship between having a coach or competing a various levels of competition and the activity level of an individual.

• Among those who compete at a national level, the majority of sport participants report having a coach (88%) compared to less than half (42%) who compete at a local level.

• Sport participants who report that they participate in competitive and structure sport activities (47%) are more likely to report having a coach compared to those in a non-competitive but structured environment (29%).

Awareness of guidelines for physical activity

• 54% of Canadians say that they are aware of some guidelines for physical activity. However, only 37% of adults say that they have heard of Canada's Physical Activity Guide when prompted.

• 89% adults indicate that they have heard of Canada's Food Guide.

• Adults living in Alberta, Yukon, and Ontario are more likely to say that they are aware of some physical activity guidelines, whereas those living in Quebec are the least likely to say this compared to Canadians in general. Residents of Newfoundland are more likely than Canadians overall to report having knowledge of Canada's Physical Activity Guide per se.

• Women are more likely than men to have heard about some guidelines regarding how much physical activity adults should do. Women are also more likely than men to say that they have heard of specific guidelines like Canada's Food Guide and Canada's Physical Activity Guide when prompted.

• Sport participants with higher levels of education and income are more likely to say that they have heard of or have some knowledge of some physical activity guidelines compared to those with lower education and income.

• Residents in communities with population sizes greater than 10,000 are more likely than those with smaller populations to have knowledge of some physical activity guidelines.

Exposure to physical activity and sport information

• 41% of Canadians say that they personally received information about physical activity or sport or that they have spoken to someone about how to become or remain active sometime in the three months prior to participating in the survey.

• Those who report that they participate in sport are more likely than Canadians in general to report having recently received information about physical activity or sport, or that they have recently spoken to someone about how to become or remain active.

• Residents of Quebec are more likely to say this compared to Canadians more generally and this is also true among sport participants. For this survey, information may have been received through a variety of modes, including from people, media, books, community programs, by mail, on television, through the internet, and so on.

• Overall, women are more likely than men to have received physical activity or sport information.

Source of physical activity and sport information

• 53% of Canadians received information by both seeking the information about physical activity and sport themselves, and by having it offered to them by others.

• 22% received it solely by finding it themselves and 24% had it offered to them.

• Interestingly, these proportions change considerably among sport participants. Similar proportions appear among sport participants, 52% received information by both seeking the information about physical activity and sport themselves and by having it offered to them by others. Moreover, 20% of sport participants solely receive the information by finding it out themselves and 28% solely have the information offered to them.

• When compared to Canadians more generally, individuals living in the Northwest Territories are more likely to say that they have received this information both ways. However, among sport participants, there are no provincial or territorial differences.

• Women are less likely than men to say that someone offered them information about physical activity or sport.

• Adults, aged 25–44 years, are more likely than adults who are older to say that they have obtained information both ways, that is by seeking it out themselves and by receiving it from someone else. Among sport participants, young adults (age 18–24) are more likely than middle aged adults (aged 45–64) to report obtaining information both ways.

• The proportion of adults who sought the information themselves jumped from 14% in 1999 to 22% in 2004. The proportion of adults who solely had the information offered to them reduced dramatically from 49% (1999) to 24% (2004), and the proportion receiving it both ways increased from 37% in 1999 to 53% in 2004. The pattern that inactive Canadians are more likely to have the information offered to them persists over time. Trend information is not available by participation in sport.

Report usefulness of the information in increasing activity

• 50% of Canadian adults say that the information they received helped them to become more active, roughly the same proportion (49%) say that it has had no influence at all.

• Among sport participants, a similar proportion of individuals say that the information helped them to become more active (54%) and 46% reported that the information had no influence on their behaviour at all.

• For the general population, Newfoundlanders are the most likely to say that the information has helped them to become more active compared to Canadians more generally. Among sport participants, there are no provincial or territorial differences, however, this may be due in part to a lower number of sport participants in the sample which reduces the ability to detect differences.

• Women are more likely than men to say that the information they received about physical activity has helped them to become more active, and are less likely than men to say that this information has had no influence on them at all.

• Generally speaking, people in older age groups are less likely to report that information helps them become more active. These age-differences are similar among sport participants, as middle adults (aged 45–64) are less likely than their younger counterparts to report this.

• Fewer people in 2004 (50%) than in 1999 (65%) stated that the information that they received on physical activity and sport helped them to become more active. Although this decrease is apparent across all age groups, it is most notable among older adults (65+) where the proportion has decreased by half from 85% in 1999 to 42% in 2004.

Type of housing

• 69% of Canadians report that they live in neighbourhoods of detached single-family residences.

• 19% of Canadians indicate that a mix of single-family residences and townhouses, row houses, apartments or condos of 2–3 stories can be found in and around their neighbourhood.

• 8% of Canadians say that the predominant form of housing in their area is exclusively townhouses, row houses, apartments, or condos of 2–3 stories.

• Residents of Quebec are more likely to say that their neighbourhoods consist mainly of townhouses, row houses, apartments, or condos of 2–3 stories high.

• Residents of all the Atlantic Provinces are more likely than Canadians in general to state that their neighbourhoods consist primarily of detached single family residences.

• Adults aged 18–24 years old are less likely than 25–44 year olds, who in turn are less likely than 45–64 year olds, to say that the main type of housing in their neighbourhood is detached single-family residences. This is also true for sport participants, where 57% of adults aged 18–24 live in detached single-family residences compared to 70% of 25–44 year olds and 83% of 45–64 year olds.

Supportive physical environments-proximity to amenities

• When asked if there are many shops, stores, markets, or other places to buy necessities within easy walking distance of their home, 37% of Canadians say that they strongly agreed, 26% somewhat agreed, and 37% disagreed with the statement (13% somewhat and 24% strongly).

• The proportions are statistically similar for those individuals who report participating in sport with 39% of sport participants agreeing strongly with the statement, 25% agreeing somewhat and 36% disagreeing to some extent.

• When compared to Canadians overall, those living in the Northwest Territories, Newfoundland, and Ontario are more likely and those living in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are less likely to strongly agree with this statement. These provincial and territorial differences that appear at a population level are not statistically significant, however, among sport participants.

• Over half of adults (53%) strongly agree, 9% somewhat agree, and 30% disagree (4% somewhat disagree and 26% strongly disagree) that their home is within a 10 to 15 minute walk of a public transit stop. Sports participants, however, are more likely than Canadians in general to strongly agree that they live within a 10 to 15 minute walk from a public transit stop, with a prevalence rate of 64%. In addition, 8% of sports participants somewhat agree with the statement.

Supportive physical environments-walking and bicycling

• The majority of Canadians strongly agree (58%) that there are sidewalks on most of the streets in their neighbourhood.

• Among sport participants, the percentages are very similar – 61% strongly agree

• When compared to Canadians in general, residents of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario are more likely to strongly agree with this statement and those living in all of the Atlantic Provinces and the Northwest Territories are less likely to do so.

• Among sport participants, these regional differences remain evident, with the exception that Saskatchewan and Ontario residents are not significantly different from sport participants overall.

• 41% of Canadians strongly agree that there are facilities to bicycle in or near their neighbourhood (special lanes, separate paths or trails, etc.), whereas 19% somewhat agree, and 40% disagree (9% somewhat disagree and 31% strongly disagree).

• 47% of sport participants are slightly more likely than the general population to strongly agree that there are facilities to bicycle in their neighbourhood, 18% of sport participants somewhat agree and 35% disagree to some extent.

Community infrastructure-walking trails

• 51% of Canadians report that there are many places in their community where they can safely walk, including sidewalks and walking trails.

• 40% of individuals state that there are some places, and a mere 9% report that there are none at all.

• Among adults, significantly more sport participants (57%) reported that there were many places in their community where they could safely walk compared to the general population. A further 37% of sport participants stated that there were some places and 7% said there were none at all

• Compared to Canadians in general, those living in the Yukon and Alberta are the most likely to say that there are many places in their community where they can safely walk. However, those living in all the Atlantic Provinces are less likely to say the same.

• Among sport participants, residents of the Atlantic region are less likely than sport participants in general to report many places to walk.

• 27% of adults in the general population report that they are very satisfied, 48% are somewhat satisfied and 25% are not at all satisfied with the amount of places that they can safely walk in their local municipality.

• Interestingly, the proportions reporting satisfaction with the number of places to walk was dramatically different among sport participants.

Community infrastructure-designated bike lanes, trails, paths

• 25% of Canadians report that there are many places to safely ride a bike, such as designated bike lanes, special trails and paths in their community, 47% some places and 27% none at all.

• For sport participants, a greater proportion (33%) report that there are many places that they can safely ride a bike in the community compared to the general population, 48% state that there are some places, and 19% no places at.

• When compared to Canadians overall, individuals living in the Yukon, Quebec and Alberta are more likely, whereas individuals living in Manitoba or the Atlantic provinces are less likely to say that there are many places where they can safely ride a bike. Compared to sport participants in general, residents of Alberta are more likely to report many places to bicycle whereas those living in the Atlantic region are less likely to cite many places.

• Overall, men are more likely than women to say that there are many places in their community where they can safely ride a bike and that they are very satisfied with these places, whereas women are more likely to say that there are none of these types of places available in their community or that they are not very satisfied with the number of places. This relationship differs among the sport population. Although male sport participants are more likely to report many places to bike in the community compared to female sport participants, men are also more likely to report that they are not at all satisfied with the number of places. Converse to the pattern in the general population, female sport participants are more likely to report that they are very satisfied with the number of places to bicycle.

Community infrastructure-recreation trails

• Only 16% of Canadian adults report that there are many multi-purpose recreation trails in their community that can be used for different physical activities and sports, 56% of Canadians report that there are some of these types of trails and a further 28% say that there are none at all.

• These proportions are very similar to those reported by sport participants – 19% report that there are many recreational trails in their community, 52% state that there are some, and 29% report that there are none at all.

• Individuals living in the Yukon are over three times as likely as Canadians more generally to say that there are many multi-purpose recreation trails available for public use in their community.

• Among sport participants, residents of the Yukon and Alberta are more likely to report the availability of many multi-purpose recreational trails compared to sport participants overall. Roughly the same percentage of adults (17%) say that they are very satisfied, whereas 53% say that they are somewhat satisfied and 30% are not at all satisfied with the number of multi-purpose trails that are available locally.

• Roughly one in five (19%) sport participants report that they are very satisfied with the amount of recreation trails, whereas 47% are somewhat satisfied and 34% are not satisfied at all.

Community infrastructure-designated facilities

• One-third of Canadians report that there are many facilities, places and programs in their community that are designated specifically for physical activity and sport participation (e.g., fitness centres, pools, arenas, tennis or racquet ball courts). A further 56% say that there are some of these types of opportunities and 11% report that there are none at all.

• Slightly more sport participants (39%) state that there are many facilities, places, and programs in their community designated for sport and physical activity compared to the general population. A further 51% of sport participants cite some of these types of facilities, whereas 10% report that there are none of these types of places in their community.

• In the general population, individuals living in the Quebec, British Columbia, and the Yukon are more likely, whereas those in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Manitoba are less likely than Canadians overall to report that there are many facilities, places and programs in their community which are designed specifically for physical activity and sport.

• For sport participants, residents of the Atlantic region are less likely to report that there are many of these types of places compared to sport participants in general. Only 14% of adults report being very satisfied with the number of facilities, places and programs that are available; however, this is significantly lower among sport participants (5%).

• In the general population, the majority (60%), however, state that they are somewhat satisfied with the number of opportunities; however, 26% are not at all satisfied. Among sport participants, 56% are somewhat satisfied, however, 39% state that they are not at all satisfied with the amount of facilities, places and programs designed specifically for sport and physical activity, which is significantly higher than the general population.

Support physical environments-discounted facilities

• 49% of Canadians strongly agree that their neighbourhood has several free or low-cost recreation facilities available for public use (parks, walking trails, bike paths, recreation centres, swimming pools, etc.). A further 28% of adults somewhat agree and 22% disagree to some extent with the statement (8% somewhat disagree and 14% strongly disagree).

• Sport participants are slightly more likely to strongly agree (54%) that their neighbourhood has free or low-cost recreational facilities compared to the general population. Similar to the general population, 28% of sport participants somewhat agree with the statement, while 18% disagree to some extent with the statement.

• When compared to Canadians overall, those living in British Columbia and Quebec are more likely to strongly agree with this statement whereas those living in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Manitoba are the least likely to say the same.

• Sport participants residing in the Atlantic region are less likely to strongly agree that there are several low-cost recreation facilities for public use.

Support physical environments-crime rates

• The majority of Canadians disagree that the crime rate in their neighbourhood makes it unsafe to go on walks at night (20% somewhat disagree and 62% strongly disagree). Only 8% of respondents strongly agree and 10% somewhat agree with this statement. The proportions of sport participants rating crime rate in their neighbourhood closely resemble those in the general population.

• When compared to Canadians more generally, Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island residents are more likely to strongly disagree that high crime rates in their neighbourhood prevent people from going for walks at night. However, among sport participants, these regional differences are no longer evident.

• For the general population, women are twice as likely as men to strongly agree that the crime rate in their neighbourhood makes it unsafe to go for walks at night. Among sport participants, women are almost twice as likely as men to agree (somewhat or strongly) that neighbourhood crime makes walking unsafe in their area.

• Older adults (65 years and older) are more likely than younger adults (18–44 year olds) to strongly agree that the crime rate in their neighbourhood prevents them from going for walks at night.

Support physical environments-traffic

• Canadians were asked if the volume of traffic on the streets makes it difficult or unpleasant for them to go walking in their neighbourhood. As is the case with crime rates, the overwhelming majority of respondents say that they disagree with this statement (23% somewhat disagree and 60% strongly disagree). Only 7% of Canadians say that they strongly agree and a further 10% somewhat agree that traffic is a serious concern. Among sport participants, the proportions are very similar > 5% strongly agree, 10% somewhat agree, and 85% disagree with the statement to some extent.

• When compared to Canadians more generally, those living in Saskatchewan or the Yukon are more likely and residents of British Columbia are less likely to strongly disagree that there is so much traffic on their streets that walking is made both difficult and unpleasant. Among sport participants, adults residing in the North are more likely to strongly disagree that traffic affects their ability to walk compared to sport participants more generally.

• Adults aged 45–64 years of age are more likely than adults aged 25–44 years to strongly disagree that street traffic makes walking in their neighbourhood difficult and unpleasant. These age-related discrepancies do not appear among sport participants.

Overall satisfaction with opportunities for physical activity

• One-third of Canadians indicate that they are very satisfied with the opportunities for physical activity and sport available in their community. Half report that they are somewhat satisfied with their options, and the remaining 17% of Canadians say that they are not at all satisfied with the available opportunities to be active in their community.

• Compared to Canadians overall, those living in Yukon and Northwest Territories are more likely, whereas those residing in Nova Scotia and Quebec are less likely to indicate that they are very satisfied with the local opportunities for physical activity and sport.

• Sport participants are less likely than the general population to report that they are very satisfied (12%) with the local opportunities for physical activity and sport. Roughly half of sport participants indicate that they are somewhat satisfied with these options, which is similar to the general population. However, sport participants are substantially more likely than the general population to report that they are not at all satisfied with their options in this regard, where 38% of sport participants indicate that they are not at all satisfied compared to 17% of the general population.

• Older adults (aged 65 and older) are more likely than 18–24 year olds to be very satisfied with the opportunities that they have in their community to participate in physical activity and sport.

Satisfaction with organized opportunities in the community

• 16% of Canadians report that they are very satisfied and nearly three in five (58%) say that they are somewhat satisfied with the amount organized physical activities and sports available in their community.

• A further 26% report that they are not at all satisfied with the amount of available organized physical activities and sports in their local area.

• Those living in the Northwest Territories are more likely than Canadians overall to be very satisfied with the amount of organized physical activity opportunities available in their communities.

• There are significant differences between the above findings for the general population and those for sport participants. More than two in five (43%) sport participants state that they are not satisfied at all with the amount of organized physical activities and sports available locally, whereas 57% are satisfied (51% somewhat satisfied and 6% very satisfied).

• Sport participants residing in Quebec are more likely to be satisfied (somewhat or very) with the opportunities available, whereas those residing in the Yukon are more likely to be not at all satisfied.

Satisfaction with unorganized opportunities in the community

• 18% of Canadians report that they are very satisfied and 58% indicate that they are somewhat satisfied with the amount of opportunities. The remaining 24% state that they are not at all satisfied with the amount of opportunities for unorganized physical activity and sport in their community.

• Those living in the Northwest Territories are more likely than Canadians overall to be very satisfied with the amount of opportunities for unorganized activity in their communities. Compared to the general population, a significantly higher proportion of sport participants report that they are not at all satisfied with the amount of local opportunities to participate in unorganized physical activity and sport.

• As a result, sport participants are less likely to be somewhat satisfied (50%) or very satisfied (9%) with their options.

• Young adults (aged 18–24 years) are more likely than older adults (aged 65 and older) to report that they are very satisfied with the amount of opportunities for unorganized activity. Middle-aged men (aged 45–64 years) are more likely than middle aged women to be very satisfied with the amount of unorganized activities available in their community.

• Among sport participants, adults age 25–44 are more likely to be satisfied (somewhat or very satisfied) with the opportunities for unorganized activity and sport compared than their younger counterparts and those slightly older (45–64 years).

Funding for local physical activity and sport opportunities

• 47% of Canadians report that their municipality should spend more money and a further 12% of adults state that much more money should be spent on these local opportunities.

• 38% of adults state that the funds allocated are adequate and that their municipality should continue to spend the same amount. Less than 5% report that their municipality should spend less or much less.

• Compared to Canadians overall, those living in Nova Scotia are more likely whereas those living in the Yukon are less likely to report that their municipality should allocate more funding in this area.

• Adults residing in Nova Scotia are less likely whereas those living in Saskatchewan and British Columbia are more likely than the overall population to say that the current funding level allocated by their municipality is appropriate.

• 69% of sport participants indicate that their municipality should spend more or much more on local opportunities for physical activity and sport.

• A smaller proportion (30%) of sport participants state that the same or current amount is adequate compared to the general population.

Adult's barriers to becoming more active-convenience

• Nearly two in ten Canadian adults strongly agree that it is too hard for them to get to places where they can be physically active.

• Adults living in Manitoba are more likely whereas residents of Saskatchewan are less likely than Canadians overall to strongly agree with this statement.

• Over one-quarter of Canadian adults strongly agree that the hours and class times offered by their local centres don't suit them. In this regard, residents of the Yukon are less likely than Canadians in general to strongly agree.

• A significantly lower proportion of sport participants (13%) strongly agree that it is too hard for them to get to places to be active compared to the general population. Moreover, slightly more sport participants (24%) strongly agree that the hours and class times offered by their local centres donˇ¦t suit their needs.

• Women are slightly more likely than men to strongly agree that it is too hard for them to get to places where they can be active and that the hours and class times provided by their local sport and recreation centres don't suit their schedules.

Adult's barriers to becoming more active-programs available

• Just over two in ten Canadian adults strongly agree that the physical activity programs and facilities that are available in their community are not the right type for them. There are no differences in the proportions by region. Similar proportions of sport participants (19%) strongly agree that these opportunities are not the right type.

• Women are slightly more likely than men to report that available programs and facilities are not the right type for them. Generally speaking, with increasing age, a greater proportion of adults strongly agree that the programs and facilities available in their community are not suitable.

• Women aged 65 and older are more likely than men of the same age to strongly agree with this statement.

Adult's barriers to becoming more active-safety

• Canadians were asked a series of questions to determine the impact that various safety concerns have on their willingness to walk and bike. Although the majority of adults strongly disagree (over 50%) that safety issues prevent them from walking and bicycling, a notable 15% strongly agree with the statement.

• About one in ten strongly agree that there is too much traffic to safely walk or bike (12%), that the sidewalks in their neighbourhood are poorly lit making walking and biking dangerous (12%), and that street crime poses a barrier to their being more physically active (8%).

• Residents of Nova Scotia are more likely than Canadians overall to strongly agree that general safety concerns, the volume of traffic, and poorly lit sidewalks and streets prevent them from being active.

• In comparison to the general population, even fewer sport participants (10%) strongly agree that safety issues prevent them from walking and bicycling. Compared to the general population, roughly the same proportion of sport participants strongly agree that: traffic is a barrier (10%); poorly lit sidewalks and streets make walking and biking dangerous (14%), and street crime is a barrier (7%).

Adult's barriers to becoming more active-maintenance of facilities

• 17% of Canadians strongly agree that the sport and recreation facilities available in their community are not well-maintained and 14% strongly agree that badly maintained sidewalks and bike lanes in their area keep them from walking and biking.

• Residents of Nova Scotia are more likely than Canadians overall to strongly agree that maintenance issues in both of these domains prevent them from being more active.

• Compared to the general population, significantly fewer sport participants strongly agree that the facilities for sport and recreation are not well maintained in their community.

• There are no statistical differences, however, in the proportion adults in the general population compared to those who participate in sport with regarding their perceptions of the maintenance of sidewalks and bicycle lanes in their community. There are no regional differences with respect to maintenance of facilities, sidewalks or bicycle lanes.

• Women are more likely than men to strongly agree that badly maintained sidewalks prevent them from becoming more active.

Adult's barriers to becoming more active-skill and ability

• One in five Canadians (20%) strongly agrees that they are not good at doing sports and physical activities. Sport participants are significantly less likely (10%) than those in the general population to strongly agree that lack of skill is a barrier to their activity.

• Women are more likely than men to report not being good at sports and physical activities. This relationship is strongest among older adults (aged 65 years or more).

• Among sport participants overall, the gender gap disappears. In the general population, adults aged 65 years and older are more likely than 45–64 year olds, who in turn are more likely than adults aged 45 years and younger, to strongly agree that lack of skill is a barrier to their activity level.

• The percentage of Canadians who strongly agree that they are not good at doing sports and physical activities decreases as income and education levels increase.

Adult's barriers to becoming more active-cost

• 28% of Canadian adults strongly agree that the dollar costs of participating in physical activities and sports are too high for them. This figure is true for the population at large and for sport participants more specifically.

• In the general population, those living in the Yukon and the Northwest Territories are less likely than Canadians in general to report that engaging in physical activity and sport is too costly for them. Among sport participants, regional differences do not appear.

• Women are more likely than men to strongly agree that the dollar costs of participating in physical activities are too high for them. This is true for the population at large and among sport participants more specifically.

Adult's barriers to becoming more active-information

• One-quarter of Canadian adults strongly agree that there is not enough information provided about the available opportunities for physical activity and sport in their community, and 14% of adults strongly agree that they don't know how to go about building more physical activity into their lifestyle.

• When compared to Canadians overall, residents of the Northwest Territories are less likely to strongly agree that there is not enough information about the availability of opportunities for physical activity locally.

• Although similar proportions of sport participants (26%) strongly agree that there is not enough information on opportunities in the community compared to the population as a whole, fewer sport participants (9%) strongly agree that lack of awareness on how to build activity into daily life prevents them from being active.

Adult's barriers to becoming more active-social support

• One-quarter of adults strongly agree that it is too hard to find other people to be active with, 22% that it is too hard to find family-oriented activity programs and classes, and 21% that it is too difficult to find the proper kind of coaching or instruction.

• When compared to Canadians more generally, individuals living in the Yukon are less likely to say that a lack of other people to be active with prevents them from being more active.

• Residents of Nova Scotia are more likely while those in Alberta are less likely than Canadians overall to strongly agree that it is difficult to find family-oriented activity programs and classes. Adults residing in the Northwest Territories are more likely to strongly agree that it is too difficult to find the right kind of coaching or instruction locally.

• Although an equivalent proportion of sport participants (21%) strongly agree that it is hard to find other people to be active with, slightly fewer sport participants strongly agree that it is difficult to find family-oriented programming (18%) and proper coaching or instruction (17%).

Children's barriers to becoming more active-convenience

• Over one in five parents report difficulty getting their children to places where they can be active (14% of parents strongly agree that this is the case, 9% somewhat agree).

• Similarly, 15% of parents strongly agree and 12% somewhat agree that the hours and class times offered by their local sport and recreation centres do not suit their child's needs. There are no significant regional variations in these rates.

• Compared to parents overall, those who are sport participants are less likely to report that it is too hard to get their children to places where they can be active (13% somewhat or strongly agree), yet are just as likely to agree that the hours and class times offered locally are not suitable (23% somewhat or strongly agree).

Children's barriers to becoming more active-program available

• When asked whether a lack of activity programs, services, or facilities available for children in their community acted as a barrier preventing their children from becoming more active, over one-fifth of parents strongly agreed that this is the case.

• In addition, 15% of parents strongly agree that the programs and facilities available are not the right type or are not suitable for their child. Like parents generally, 13% of parents who participate in sport strongly agree that the lack of programs, services or facilities available for children in their community posed as barrier to their child's activity.

• In addition, 11% of these parents strongly agree that the programs and facilities that are available are not suitable for their child.

Children's barriers to becoming more active-safety

• Parents were asked if their safety concerns prevented their children from becoming more active. Just over one in ten respondents say that their child does not walk or bicycle in their neighbourhood because they are concerned generally about the child's safety.

• For Canadian parents, the issue of too much traffic in their neighbourhood seems to be the number one safety concern, with 36% parents strongly agreeing that it is a major barrier. Equal proportions of parents strongly agree that badly maintained sidewalks and bike lanes (24%) and poorly lit sidewalks and streets in their neighbourhood (24%) keep their children from being more active. Slightly less than one in five parents (16%) strongly agrees that there is too much crime on the streets for their child to safely walk or bike.

• Similarly, just over one in ten (12%) of parents who participate in sport agree (somewhat or strongly agree) that general concerns about their childˇ¦s safety prevent them from walking or bicycling in the neighbourhood. Interestingly, compared to parents in the general population, considerably fewer sport participating parents agree that traffic concerns are a barrier to their childˇ¦s activity (19% somewhat or strongly agree).

Children's barriers to becoming more active-skill and ability

• Canadian parents were asked about the degree to which their child's skills and abilities prevent their child from participating in physical activity and sport. Although the majority (69%) of parents strongly disagree that this is the case, a notable 18% agree with the statement (12% of parents strongly agree, 6% somewhat agree)

• Parents who were sport participants were less likely to agree (9% strongly or somewhat agree) that their childˇ¦s skills and abilities prevent their child from being active. There do not appear to be differences in these rates by province or territory of residence.

Children's barriers to becoming more active-information

• Nearly one-fifth of parents strongly agree that there is not enough information available regarding local physical activity and sport opportunities for their child. In contrast, 13% of parents who participate in sport strongly agree with this statement, however, these differences are not significantly different.

Children's barriers to becoming more active-cost

• One-quarter of Canadian parents strongly agree and a further 12% somewhat agree that the dollar costs of participating in physical activity and sport pose a barrier to their child's participation. Similar proportions (35% agree, 23% of these strongly agree) of parents who participate in sport report that cost is a barrier to their child's activity level.

• Although no differences are apparent for cost as a barrier among children of different age groups or for boys and girls, there are differences according to the parent's gender.

• Mothers are more likely than fathers to strongly agree that the dollar costs of children participating in physical activity and sport are too high. These gender differences are particularly evident among younger parents, namely those aged 25 to 44. Interestingly, for parents who participate in sport, there is a notable distinction between parents of girls and boys who rate cost as an issue; roughly two in five parents (43%) of boys agree that cost is an issue compared to 26% of parents of girls.

Children's barriers to becoming more active-social support

• Parents were asked if the lack of various types of social support prevented their children from participating in physical activity and sport. Nearly two in ten parents strongly agree and 11% somewhat agree that there arent enough places where their child can be active with other family members.

• 21% agree (13% strongly agree and 8% somewhat agree) that it is too difficult for their child to find other children with whom to be active.

• 15% of parents strongly agree and 10% somewhat agree that it is too hard to find the proper type of coaching or instruction for their child.

• Generally speaking, there are no statistically significant differences between parents in the general population and those who participate in sport when reporting these three types of social support.

• 27% of sport participating parents agree there aren't enough places to be active as a family; 17% agree that it is difficult to find other children to be active with; and 24% agree that it is difficult to find proper coaching or instruction for their child.