Over Half of Canadians Fail to Meet Exercise Guidelines: Urgent Report

URGENT UPDATE: More than half of Canadian adults are failing to meet essential physical activity guidelines, according to the latest ParticipACTION adult report card. Only 46 percent of Canadians engage in the recommended 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous exercise weekly, resulting in a discouraging grade of C-minus.

The report, released today, highlights a troubling trend: the percentage of Canadians meeting exercise goals has stagnated for years. Brianne Bruijns, project manager for ParticipACTION, stated, “Movement is no longer the easy choice for adults in Canada.” She attributes this decline to technological advancements making physical activity less accessible, as many Canadians opt for elevators over stairs, and grocery shopping has shifted to online delivery.

In a shocking revelation, the report shows that only 32 percent of adults achieve the target of 7,500 steps daily, a significant drop from 49 percent in 2021. Bruijns expressed concern over the disconnect between intention and action, noting, “A large majority of adults have indicated that they have the desire to be physically active, but it’s getting them past that intention and turning that into action.”

The emotional impact of this report is visible in individuals like Tenille Lafontaine, a mother of three who struggles to maintain an active lifestyle due to time constraints. “I know as a parent our kids are looking up to us to make sure we’re modeling these good behaviors,” she shared. Lafontaine described the report as an “eye-opener” and a potential catalyst for change in her family’s lifestyle.

Renowned fitness advocate Hal Johnson, co-host of Canada’s iconic Body Break, emphasized the urgent need for societal change. “People know they should get active, but our society has gone the other way,” Johnson remarked. He advocates for government initiatives to improve access to physical activity, suggesting tax exemptions for gym memberships and equipment could yield significant cost savings in healthcare.

The economic ramifications of inactivity are staggering. The report estimates that physical inactivity costs Canada’s healthcare system $3.9 billion annually in avoidable healthcare expenditures. Furthermore, researchers predict that a mere 15 percent increase in physical activity could save the country about $1 billion each year in healthcare, employee absenteeism, and chronic disease management costs.

Johnson passionately urged Canadians to consider their long-term health, asking, “Are you going to be able to get up and play with the grandkids?” He stressed the importance of taking care of oneself now to ensure a fulfilling future.

To combat this alarming trend, the report calls for coordinated action from all levels of government, employers, urban planners, and the healthcare system. “We need to make it the easy choice for adults in Canada,” Bruijns concluded, underscoring the need for accessible physical activity options.

As the nation grapples with these findings, the conversation around physical activity and health is more crucial than ever. Canadians are urged to reflect on their activity levels and consider the long-term implications of their lifestyle choices. The ParticipACTION report card serves as a wake-up call, urging immediate attention to the health of this generation and the next.

Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.