"Let's play outside!"

"Let's play catch!"

"Let's go for a bike ride!"

When was the last time that you heard a child say any of the above statements?

Today it seems kids are spending more and more time in front of the computer, a video game system or a TV and less time being physically active. Research shows that regular participation in moderate and vigorous physical activity by children and youth is important for proper growth and development.

Today is the day for us to get our kids 'in motion'!

Through regular participation in physical activity at an early age, young people can build healthy bodies and develop healthy lifestyle habits for the rest of their lives. Benefits of physical activity for children and youth include:

• Improved fitness;
• Improved strength and stamina;
• Stronger, healthier muscles and bones;
• Weight maintenance;
• Improved self-esteem;
• Better posture and balance;
• Healthy growth and development;
• Increased relaxation and improved performance at school;
• Healthy social development.

However many Winnipeg youth are not physically active enough to meet the levels for health improvements. The minimum guidelines for optimal growth and development for youth state that children and youth need to participate in 90 minutes of moderate physical activity each day.

Kids need to choose activities everyday that are equal to playing team sports for an hour (moderate activity) or jogging for a half hour (vigorous activity), but this should also be combined with walking for 1 hour (light activity) each day.

Winnipeg in motion recognizes that supportive communities working together will create many strong opportunities for Winnipeg youth to incorporate physically activity into their lives. Schools are respected community partner and play an important role in promoting youth health.

Winnipeg in motion and Manitoba in motion are working collaboratively to build awareness and promotion strategies to get our youth "in motion". If you would like to learn more about the exciting Healthy Schools initiative and see if your child's school has registered to become "in motion" please visit, http://www.manitobainmotion.ca/schools/.


Winnipeg in motion is inviting you to promote physical activity in your school and community.

For more information contact us at 940-3648 or by email getactive@winnipeginmotion.ca.

Physical activity.
It's good for your health.
Do it for life!