Studies
have shown that the way a person lives his or her life in the later
years can make those years exciting for the
person. These lifestyle factors have more influence on the quality of
life than genetics has. "An American woman who today reaches age 50
free of cancer and heart disease can expect to see her 92nd birthday.
The average man who is 65 today - an age now reached by more than 70
percent of the U.S. population - can expect to live
until 81. This amounts to a second adult lifetime. (
(Sheehy, 1995, pp. 5-6). But health cannot be taken for granted and
usually must be achieved with deliberate actions. The Center for
Disease Control (CDC) recommends that people be “physically active, eat
a healthy
diet, do not use tobacco, and practice other healthy behaviors” to
reduce the risk of chronic diseases. They emphasize
that “physical activity is the key to healthy aging.” |
2011 Get Active Toronto Report Highlights:
* Lower rates of physical activity among young girls - The Get Active Toronto 2011 report revealed that only 4% of girls aged 6-19 compared to 9% of boys accumulate at least 60 minutes of moderate and physical activity at least six days a week. In addition, participation in sports by young women is significantly less than males.
* Schools report that resources, space and time in the school day are still lacking to ensure the required level of student physical activity - Currently only 14% of children and youth meet appropriate physical education levels. 37% of schools report that they lack adequate space; 38% of schools say they need more time in the school day; 77% need more resources.
* Increase in interschool athletic participation over the past five years – At the secondary level the number of teams has gradually increased over time and the latest results show the highest level both in terms of the number of team and the number of student participants. It was also reported that boys participate in secondary athletics in greater numbers than girls, 60% to 40%. Fewer than 10% of the secondary level sports teams are classified as co-ed.
* Walking to school increases overall physical activity in children - Toronto children who walk to school were twice as likely to achieve recommended levels of physical activity in comparison to children who were driven to school. However, of children living 1-2 km. from their school - only 28% walk to school and 32% walk home.