With nearly 1,000 provincial parks in B.C. and over 70 city parks in Victoria alone, it’s no surprise that physical activity is a way of life for many in the province. But, there’s still more we can all do.
Nationally, adults earn a “D” grade for overall physical activity and children and youth are doing only slightly better with a “D+” according to the latest ParticipACTION Report Cards on Physical Activity. B.C. has the highest self-reported physical activity in the country, but 1.5 million British Columbians are still classified as inactive. Like all Canadians, more in B.C. need to make physical activity a priority.
I recently met with elected officials in Victoria and other B.C. communities to discuss ways we can work together to build an active future in the region.
Since 2012, ParticipACTION and the Government of B.C. have partnered on numerous public education campaigns and initiatives to shift social norms and break down barriers to physical activity. Just last year, 374,000 British Columbians actively participated in the ParticipACTION Community Better Challenge, which offers grants to support local programs and isdesigned to inspire Canadians to come together in sitting less and moving more.
Using the ParticipACTION app, participants tracked their physical activity minutes and contributed to their community’s total. Last year, 88 per cent of eligible communities in B.C. participated. Enderby was crowned Canada’s Most Active Community and earned $150,000 for local physical activity initiatives. The 2020 Community Better Challenge is returning in June and will give B.C. communities a chance to defend their title.
The ParticipACTION Report Card on Physical Activity for Adults showed only 16 per cent of Canadians aged 18 to 79 meet the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity guidelines. Older Canadians aged 65 to 79 are slightly less active and they spend the most time being sedentary.
Currently, 23 per cent of B.C.’s population is 65 and older, and that’s expected to grow to 35 per cent in the next 20 years. Physical activity is essential to helping Canadian adults Age Better, including improving their health, functional independence and quality of life as they age. Engaging in regular physical activity can also improve balance, core strength and stability – three game-changers when it comes to preventing falls. This is key as fall-related hospitalizations have increased since 2000 among those over 65 in B.C.
Older adults aren’t the only group who could use support. According to the Active People, Active Places: BC Physical Activity Strategy, First Nations and Aboriginal Peoples, new Canadians, people with disabilities, and people living in rural and remote areas can face more barriers to participating in physical activity.
While engaging in healthy activities can be considered a choice, our environment and norms can impact these choices, and it’s not always easy to change your lifestyle. Healthy communities are essential to help support and encourage British Columbians to participate in healthy behaviours. This requires collaboration and partnerships across all sectors and all levels of government. The B.C. Ministry of Health has demonstrated great leadership and ParticipACTION is proud of our over seven years of working together to reach those who need the most support in getting physically active.
You can also be a part of the solution and help increase physical activity in your community. Downloading the ParticipACTION app to keep yourself motivated, taking small steps to get active each day and encouraging others in your community to join you are some of the ways you can help.
