May 25, 2006 – The Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD) agrees with and supports the concerns raised in the Active Healthy Kids Canada (AHKC) Report Card on Physical Activity released today.

CAHPERD would like to congratulate AHKC for raising awareness of these issues. The physical inactivity epidemic is an issue that needs immediate attention and cooperation from all sectors, and CAHPERD plans to play a key role in eliciting action that will lead to change.

“We could not agree more with the AHKC recommendation to increase physical activity participation in schools through quality Health and Physical Education programs,” says Garth Turtle, CAHPERD President. “This recommendation supports our efforts in advocating for QDPE and health promoting schools.”

Physical Education is a critical component in the development of a physically active child. All children require access to quality Physical Education taught by qualified instructors. It is through this instruction that children develop the physical literacy skills that will serve as the foundation by which they can be active now and in the future. Quality Physical Education enables children to develop the attitudes and life-style habits needed to be physically active adults.

“Quality Health and Physical Education curriculum exists and is being provided by Ministries of Education across the country,” explains Garth Turtle, CAHPERD’s President. “The problem is that quality Physical Education is not happening in many schools in Canada due to inadequate time being devoted to the subject, untrained generalist teachers, and a lack of resources.”

Before a change in the physical activity levels of children can occur, more awareness of the lack of adequate Health and Physical Education programs being provided to our children is urgently needed.

“Advocacy and awareness of the issue is crucial for change,” says Andrea Grantham, CAHPERD Executive Director. “Awareness needs to be generated among all sectors, but specifically among parents who have the power to make change at the school level. The Report Card supports one of CAHPERD’s Strategic directions to develop a promotion and advocacy campaign directed at parents.”

Parents have significant power for change at the school level, as they can rally the support of school administration to make the critical changes needed to implement more physical activity opportunities, and quality Health and Physical Education programs. Unfortunately, many parents are not aware of the quality or lack of PE programs being provided to their children.

“Just as families have a perception of their children’s physical activity levels being higher than they are, the same perception occurs with regard to Physical Education in schools,” explains Andrea Grantham. “The majority of parents believe that their children are receiving quality Physical Education programs and are unaware of issues around time, resources and qualified teaching.”

The Report Card outlines the need for a multi-faced awareness initiative that educates, communicates, and connects the dots for parents. In order to increase awareness among all sectors, a key part of CAHPERD’s Strategic Plan will address parents and narrow the disconnect between their perceptions of their children’s physical activity levels and what children are actually doing.

As a national voluntary organization dedicated to the healthy development of Canadian children and youth, CAHPERD advocates for quality physical education experiences for all children.