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Pandemic restrictions take a toll on kids’ physical fitness

Sudbury medical officer of health is encouraging school boards and sports organizations to step up physical activities for young people
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Children are not getting enough exercise.

That is one of the "unintended consequences” of the various lockdowns connected to the COVID-19 pandemic according to Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, the Medical Officer of Health for Public Health Sudbury and Districts (PHSD).

Sutcliffe's position was outlined in a briefing note (see page 59) that is to be presented this week to the regular monthly meeting of the PHSD Board of Health. 

In her report, Sutcliffe wrote that the stay-at-home orders and restrictions placed on indoor and outdoor spaces resulted in a reduction of physical activity levels in all age groups. She said the percentage of young people meeting physical activity recommendations fell from roughly 51 per cent in 2018 to 37 per cent in 2020.

"Although the development of physical literacy in children and youth was a growing concern prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the issue has become more pressing given the long-term health implications of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviours," she said. 

Sutcliffe's brief to the board of health also quoted a ParticipACTION’s Report Card on Physical Activity for children and youth (2021), which reported that only 36 per cent of children aged 8-12 years met or exceeded the minimum level recommended for physical literacy.

Sutcliffe is recommending that all local school boards, sports organizations and even early learning centres to step up all physical activity programs for children and youth within their care.

Sutcliffe said this would include "collaboration with Sport for Life Society, Active Sudbury and Public Health Sudbury & Districts, agencies that provide comprehensive physical literacy training to teachers, coaches, recreation providers and early childhood educators."

The board of health will be asked to vote on Sutcliffe’s recommendation. 

It was also noted that increasing physical activity can have a positive impact on one's mental health. This was based on a report from the Ontario Science Table published in June of 2022.

Len Gillis covers mining and health care for Sudbury.com.

"Increasing physical activity and decreasing sedentary behaviour have positive effects on mental well-being and are associated with reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety. These effects were well-established prior to the COVID-19 pandemic," said the Science Table document. 

The report also noted that Public Health Sudbury is a founding member of the Active Sudbury organization. 

"Public Health Sudbury & Districts’ partnership with Active Sudbury is an integral part of providing best practices, tools, and support that will foster physical literacy in the communities that we serve," said Sutcliffe's report. 


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Len Gillis

About the Author: Len Gillis

Graduating from the Journalism program at Canadore College in the 1970s, Gillis has spent most of his career reporting on news events across Northern Ontario with several radio, television and newspaper companies. He also spent time as a hardrock miner.
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