Children playing actively outdoors, symbolizing the importance of physical activity for health and well-being.

Is Canada Failing Its Kids? The Urgent Need to Boost Physical Activity

Elliot Brynn in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 5 min read.

"New data reveals alarming trends in children's physical activity levels, highlighting critical gaps in support and investment."

In Canada, a significant portion of children and youth are not meeting the recommended levels of physical activity. The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines advise at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity daily. This concerning trend has remained relatively stable over the past decade.

The lack of physical activity can lead to negative health consequences, especially in adulthood. To gain a better understanding of this issue, numerous indicators of child and youth physical activity are periodically assessed and compiled into Canada's Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth.

This article summarizes the findings of the 2018 Report Card. It explores the key indicators, grades, and underlying factors contributing to the current state of children's physical activity in Canada, providing insights into areas that require immediate attention and action.

What Does the 2018 Report Card Reveal About Kids Physical Activity?

Children playing actively outdoors, symbolizing the importance of physical activity for health and well-being.

The 2018 Report Card assessed 14 key indicators related to physical activity, categorized into four main areas: Daily Behaviors, Individual Characteristics, Settings and Sources of Influence, and Strategies and Investments. These indicators provide a comprehensive overview of the various factors impacting children's physical activity levels.

Data was synthesized from multiple sources, including national surveys such as the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS), Canada's Physical Activity Levels Among Youth study (CANPLAY), and the Canadian Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children survey (HBSC). Peer-reviewed literature, government reports, and non-government reports were also considered.

Overall Physical Activity: D+ (Only 35% of 5- to 17-year-olds accumulate the recommended 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity per day).
Organized Sport and Physical Activity Participation: B+ (77% of 5- to 19-year-olds participate in organized physical activity or sport).
Active Play: D (Only 20% of 5- to 11-year-olds spend more than 2 hours a day in unorganized physical activity).
Active Transportation: D- (Only 21% of 5- to 19-year-olds use active modes of transportation like walking or biking).
Sedentary Behaviors: D+ (64% of 5- to 9-year-olds meet the screen time recommendation of ≤ 2 hours per day).
Physical Fitness: D (9- to 12-year-olds are at the 28th percentile on average for cardiorespiratory fitness).
Family and Peers: C+ (92% of students in grades 9 to 12 report having supportive parents/guardians).
School: B- (46% of school administrators report having a fully implemented policy to provide mandated Daily Physical Activity).
Community and Environment: B+ (Most municipalities report the presence of facilities that support community physical activity and sport).
Government: C+ (Federal government efforts to increase physical activity support exist, but their direct impact on child and youth activity is uncertain).

The grades reveal a concerning trend: behavioral indicators related to daily physical activity are generally poor (D's), with the exception of organized sport participation (B+). This suggests that while structured sports are popular, children are not engaging in enough overall physical activity in their daily lives. On the other hand, indicators related to support and investment, such as school policies and community environments, receive more favorable grades (B's and C's), though some have declined slightly since previous reports.

Time for Action: Boosting Kids' Physical Activity

The 2018 Report Card underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to improve children's physical activity levels in Canada. While support systems are in place, the behavioral indicators reveal that children are not active enough in their daily lives. Efforts should focus on promoting overall physical activity, active transportation, and reducing sedentary behaviors to ensure a healthier future for Canadian youth. By addressing these issues directly, Canada can strive to improve the well-being of its younger generations.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1123/jpah.2018-0454, Alternate LINK

Title: Results From Canada’S 2018 Report Card On Physical Activity For Children And Youth

Subject: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Journal: Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Publisher: Human Kinetics

Authors: Joel D. Barnes, Christine Cameron, Valerie Carson, Jean-Philippe Chaput, Rachel C. Colley, Guy E.J. Faulkner, Ian Janssen, Roger Kramers, Travis J. Saunders, John C. Spence, Patricia Tucker, Leigh M. Vanderloo, Mark S. Tremblay

Published: 2018-01-02

Everything You Need To Know

What are the primary concerns highlighted in Canada's 2018 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth?

The 2018 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth reveals that a significant portion of children and youth in Canada are not meeting the recommended 60 minutes of daily moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity, as advised by the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines. The report card indicates low grades in overall physical activity (D+), active play (D), and active transportation (D-), signaling a need for immediate intervention. While organized sports participation received a B+, daily behaviors generally scored poorly. Areas related to support and investment, like school policies and community environments, received better grades (B's and C's).

Which specific indicators in the 2018 Report Card received the lowest grades, and what do these grades suggest about the daily habits of Canadian children?

The indicators that received the lowest grades in the 2018 Report Card were 'Overall Physical Activity' (D+), 'Active Play' (D), and 'Active Transportation' (D-). These low grades suggest that Canadian children are not incorporating enough physical activity into their daily routines beyond structured sports. Only 35% of children aged 5-17 achieve the recommended 60 minutes of daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. A mere 20% of children aged 5-11 engage in more than two hours of unorganized active play, and only 21% of youth aged 5-19 use active modes of transportation such as walking or biking. These figures highlight a need to promote unstructured and lifestyle-based physical activities.

How did the 'Sedentary Behaviors' indicator perform in the 2018 Report Card, and what implications does this have for the health of Canadian children?

The 'Sedentary Behaviors' indicator received a D+ in the 2018 Report Card. This indicates that 64% of 5 to 9-year-olds meet the screen time recommendation of ≤ 2 hours per day. This suggests that many children are spending excessive time engaging in sedentary activities like watching TV or playing video games, which can displace opportunities for physical activity and contribute to negative health outcomes. High levels of sedentary behavior are associated with increased risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and other health problems in both childhood and adulthood. Addressing sedentary behaviors is crucial for promoting the long-term health and well-being of Canadian children.

What role do schools and communities play in promoting physical activity among Canadian children, according to the 2018 Report Card?

According to the 2018 Report Card, schools and communities play a crucial role in promoting physical activity. The 'School' indicator received a B-, with 46% of school administrators reporting fully implemented policies to provide mandated Daily Physical Activity. The 'Community and Environment' indicator received a B+, indicating the presence of facilities that support community physical activity and sport. This suggests that while there are supportive structures in place, there is still room for improvement in implementing and utilizing these resources to increase children's physical activity levels. Enhancing school-based physical activity programs and leveraging community resources are vital strategies for fostering active lifestyles.

How does the 2018 Report Card assess the role of the Canadian government in supporting children's physical activity, and what are the report's recommendations for improvement?

The 'Government' indicator received a C+ in the 2018 Report Card, indicating that federal government efforts to increase physical activity support exist, but their direct impact on child and youth activity is uncertain. This suggests that while there are governmental initiatives, their effectiveness in translating into tangible improvements in children's physical activity levels is questionable. The report underscores the need for targeted interventions to improve children's physical activity levels, especially focusing on promoting overall physical activity, active transportation, and reducing sedentary behaviors. This may involve strengthening existing programs, implementing new policies, and increasing investment in initiatives that directly encourage physical activity among Canadian youth. A more focused and impactful governmental approach is needed to address the concerning trends highlighted in the report.