Module 9

Growing Healthy Bodies

The Growing Healthy Bodies Module is focused on child and youth nutrition, physical activity, sleep, body image, eating disorders, growth (height/weight) and the impacts of unhealthy lifestyle choices. Each section provides detailed information to help better understand the needs of young, growing bodies. There is also a Growing Healthy Bodies Quiz (one for parents and one for youth) that provides instant feedback on how eating, sleeping and physical activity patterns can be modified to help children and youth grow stronger, healthier bodies.

Section 1

Growing Healthy Bodies Quiz

The Growing Healthy Body Health Quiz asks questions about eating, physical activity and sleep. Parents can take the Parent Quiz to gain insight on their child’s patterns and get helpful recommendations. There is also a Teen Quiz that provides teens with helpful information about their eating habits, activity levels and sleeping patterns. The Quiz is divided into three parts: Nutrition, Physical Activity and Sleep. Plan to do them together or do one and come back later. Are you Ready? Let’s get started!

Section 2

Nutrition

This section provides information on the eating patterns of Canadian children and youth, including what is contributing to unhealthy as well as unhealthy eating habits. Recommendations from Canada’s Food Guide are presented as well as information on where to go for sound nutritional advice.

2.1 Canada Food Guide Recommendations

2.1.1

2.1.2

2.1.3

Safe food alternative for children ages 5 and under, Canada, 2016

2.2 Food Consumption

2.3 Breastfeeding

2.3.1

Percentage of women who had a baby in the last 5 years who initiated breastfeeding, Canada and the provinces/territories, 2012

2.3.2

Rate of breastfeeding initiation by Indigenous mothers, by age and identity, Canada, 2007-2010

2.3.3

Proportion of women who breastfeed at 6 months postpartum - any or exclusive, Canada and the provinces/territories, 2006/2007

2.3.4

Percentage of Canadian women aged 18 to 55 years who initiated breastfeeding and exclusively breastfed for 6 months, by Indigenous identity, 2009-2012

2.3.5

Percentage of Canadian women aged 18 to 55 years who initiated breastfeeding and exclusively breastfed for 6 months, by household income, Canada, 2009-2012

2.3.6

Exclusive breastfeeding for six months (or more) by income and education, Canada, 2009-2010

2.4 Food Security

2.4.1

Household food insecurity measures** for households with children under 6, Canada and provinces/territories, 2007/2008 and 2011/2012

2.4.2

Percentage of children 6 to 17 years who have moderate or severe food insecurity, Canada and the provinces/territories, 2011/12

2.4.3

Percentage of students who reported that they went to school or to bed hungry because there was not enough food at home, by grade and gender, Canada, 2014

2.4.4

Percentage of Canadian children and youth aged 12 to 24 years who had moderate or severe food insecurity, by Indigenous identity, Canada, 2007-2010

2.4.5

Percentage of Canadian children and youth aged 12 to 17 years living with moderate or severe food insecurity, by household income and Indigenous Identity, Canada, 2009-2012

2.4.6

Percentage of all food bank users who are children and youth, Canada and the provinces/territories, 2016

2.4.7

Canadian children and youth as a percent of all food bank users and Canadian children and youth as a percent of the Canadian population, by age group, Canada, 2016

2.4.8

Percentage of students who participated and who did not participate in a Toronto District School Board breakfast program, by academic and health indicators, Canada, 2010/11

2.4.9

Ranking of 41 rich countries on child and youth nutrition, 2017

2.5 Dental Health

2.5.1

Percentage of students who reported that they brushed their teeth more than once a day, by grade and gender, 2014

2.5.2

Percentage of First Nations children aged 0 to 11 years living in First Nations Communities who have received any dental care in the last 12 months, by age group, Canada, 2008/2010

2.5.3

Percentage of First Nations children aged 0 to 11 years, with dental treatment needs according to primary caregivers' perceptions, Canada, 2008/2010

2.5.4

Access to dental care by family income levels, Canada, 2007-2009

Section 3

Physical Activity

Being physically active is an important part of healthy development. The section provides an overview of physical activity levels in Canada, types of activities children and youth are engaged in and daily activity recommendations for healthy growing bodies. Sedentary behaviours are also presented including the amount of time spent watching TV or playing video games. Recommendations on how to step away from the screen and become more active are also highlighted.

3.1 Physical Literacy

3.1.1

What is Physical Literacy?

3.2 Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines

3.2.1

Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for the Early Years, Canada, 2017

3.2.2

Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Children and Youth (ages 5-17 years), Canada, 2017

3.3 Physical Activity Guidelines and Activity Levels

3.3.1

Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for children aged 0 to 4, Canada, 2012

3.3.2

Proportion of children aged 3 to 5 years that meet recommended guidelines for physical activity, Canada, 2009 to 2013 (combined)

3.3.3

Proportion of children aged 3 to 5 years that meet recommended guidelines* for physical activity, by selected characteristics, Canada, 2009 to 2013 (combined)

3.3.4

Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for children aged 5 to 11 and 12 to 17, Canada, 2012

3.3.5

Percentage of Canadian children and youth aged 5 to 17 years who meet the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines, by sex and age group, Canada, 2012 and 2013

3.3.6

Percentage of children and youth aged 5 to 17 years who engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, by age group and amount of activity, Canada, 2012 and 2013

3.3.7

Percentage of Canadian children and youth aged 12 to 17 years who are moderately physically active or active, by Indigenous identity, Canada, 2010-2013

3.3.8

Percentage of First Nations children and youth who are physically active, moderately active or active, by age group, Canada, 2008/2010

3.3.9

Percentage of Canadian students in Grades 6 though 10 who reported that they had been physically active seven days a week over a typical week for a total of 60 minutes per day, by grade and gender, Canada, 2014

3.3.10

Percentage of Canadian students in Grades 6 though 10 who reported that they had completed at least 60 minutes per day of moderate to vigorous physical activity, by year, Canada, 2002 to 2014

3.3.11

Percentage of youth aged 12 to 24 years who are moderately physically active or active during leisure time, by Indigenous identity, Canada, 2007/2010

3.4 Physical Activity Determinants

3.4.1

Percentage of Canadian parents who reported that they played active games with their children in the previous year 'often' or 'very often', Canada, 2010 and 2014-15

3.4.2

Percentage of Canadian children and youth aged 12 to 17 years who are moderately physically active or active, by household income, Canada, 2010-2013

3.4.3

Percentage of Canadian parents who reported that safety concerns are a barrier to children's physical activity, Canada, 2010 and 2014-2015

3.4.4

Percentage of Canadian children and youth who agree or strongly agree that it is safe for younger children to play outside during the day, Canada, 2009-2010 and 2014

3.4.5

Proportion of children aged 3 to 5 years who participated in activities once a week or more, by activity and selected characteristics, Canada, 2010/2011

3.5 School Sport and Physical Activity

3.5.1

Average number of hours of physical activity per week that Canadian children aged 6 to 11 years obtained during class time, Canada, 2009-2011, 2012-2013 and 2014-2015

3.5.2

Percentage of Canadian children and youth aged 11 to 15 years who use active travel as their main form of transportation to school, Canada, 2009-10 and 2014

3.5.3

Percentage of Canadian students in Grades 6 through 10 who reported that their mode of transportation to school was motorized, active or other, by grade and gender, Canada, 2014

3.5.4

Percentage of Canadian schools that have committees and plans for physical activity or healthy eating, 2009-2010 and 2014

3.6 Community Sport and Physical Activity

3.6.1

Proportion of young children aged 3 to 5 years who participated in activities once a week or more, by activity and gender, Canada, 2010/2011

3.6.2

Proportion of children aged 3 to 5 years who participated in activities once a week or more, by activity and province, Canada, 2010/2011

3.6.3

Proportion of young children aged 3 to 5 years who participated in activities once a week or more, by activity, Canada, 2002/2003 and 2010/2011

3.6.4

Percentage of Canadian children aged 3 to 9 years who participate in physical activities at least once a week, by how they are organized, Canada, 2010-2011

3.6.5

Percentage of Canadian children aged 6 to 9 years who participate in coached sports, by gender, Canada, 2006-2007

3.6.6

Percentage of Canadian Children aged 6 to 9 years who participated in dance, gymnastics or martial arts, most days/a few times a week and once a week, by gender, Canada, 2006-2007

3.6.7

Percentage of First Nations children aged 6 to 11 years participating in physical activities, by type activity and gender, Canada, 2008/2010

3.6.8

Percentage of Canadian children aged 6 to 9 years who participate in sports without a coach most days/a few times a week, Canada, 2006-2007

3.6.9

Percentage of Canadian students in Grades 6 though 10 who reported that they participated in organized sport, by grade and gender, Canada, 2014

3.6.10

Percentage of First Nations children aged 12 to 17 years participating in physical activities, by type activity and gender, Canada, 2008/2010

3.6.11

Percentage of students in Grades 6 through 10 who reported that they participated in organized sport, by gender, Canada, 2014

3.6.12

Percentage of Canadian parents of children aged 5 to 17 years who say that public facilities and programs for physical activity and sports are available for their children, Canada, 2010 and 2014-2015

3.7 Outdoor Play

3.7.1

Benefits of Active Outdoor Play

3.7.2

Percentage of Canadians who reported they had a park or green space close to home, Canada and by province, 2013

3.7.3

Percentage of Canadian students in Grades 6 through 10 who had spent four or more hours per week participating in outdoor play in free time, by gender and grade, Canada, 2014

3.7.4

Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play

3.7.5

OUTSIDEPLAY.ca

3.8 Sedentary Behavior and Screen Time

3.8.1

Canadian Sedentary Behavior Guidelines for children aged 0 to 4, Canada, 2012

3.8.2

Proportion of children aged 3 to 5 years that meet recommended guidelines for screen time, Canada, 2009 to 2013 (combined)

3.8.3

Proportion of children aged 3 to 5 years that meet recommended guidelines for screen time, by selected characteristics, Canada, 2009 to 2013 (combined)

3.8.4

Average time spent by Canadian children aged 3 to 4 years in sedentary, light or moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, Canada, 2012 and 2013

3.8.5

Canadian Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for children aged 5 to 11 and youth aged 12 to 17, Canada, 2011

3.8.6

Percentage of First Nations children and youth who reported participating in sedentary activities for >1.5 hours/day, by type of activity and age group, Canada, 2008/2010

3.8.7

Average number of hours spent in sedentary activity per day among Canadian children and youth aged 5 to 17 years, by gender and age group, Canada, 2012 and 2013

3.8.8

Percentage of Canadian youth in grades 6 through 10 who meet the sedentary screen time guidelines of 2 hours or less per day, by gender and grade, Canada, 2014

3.8.9

Percentage of Canadian children and youth who spend 14 or more hours per week in sedentary activities, Canada, 2011-2012

Section 4

Sleep

This section provides information on the recommended hours of sleep for different age groups as well as data on how much sleep Canadian children and youth are getting. Sleeping problems are also highlighted including: trouble falling asleep/staying asleep, nightmares and sleep walking. Recommendations to help children and youth sleep better are also provided.

4.1 Canadian Sleep Guidelines

4.1.1

How much sleep do children and youth need?

4.1.2

Sleep guidelines for children and youth from birth to 17 years of age, by age group, Canada, 2017

4.2 Sleep Behaviours

4.2.1

Number of observed hours of sleep among Canadian children aged 6 to 11 years, by gender, Canada, 2007 to 2009

4.2.2

Percentage of Canadian children and youth aged 10 to 17 years who get the recommended amount of sleep, less or more, Canada, 2013-2014

4.2.3

Percentage of Canadian students in Grades 6 through 10 who had sleep duration that was within the recommended range of national guidelines, may be appropriate or was not recommended, by gender and grade, Canada, 2014

4.2.4

Percentage of Canadian students in Grades 6 through 10 who reported that they were tired when they went to school in the morning, by grade and gender, Canada, 2014

4.2.5

Percentage of Canadian children and youth in Grades 6 through 10 who reported having trouble falling asleep, by Grade and gender, Canada, 2014

4.2.6

Difficulty falling asleep, sleep disorders and insomnia

4.2.7

Infants and Sleep

Section 5

Body Image, Eating Disorders, Height and Weight

This section examines what classifies children and youth as overweight, under weight and obese with definitions, relevant statistics, myths and misperceptions to help better understand these labels and their effects. Eating disorders, dieting and body image are also discussed with evidence-based information on how this is a growing issue for children and youth in Canada.

5.1 Height and Weight

5.1.1

Weight as a measure

5.1.2

Weight Bias and Stigma

5.1.3

Measured child body mass index (BMI), children 2 to 5 years, Canada, 2004

5.1.4

Percentage of Canadian children and youth aged 5 to 17 years who are classified as obese, Canada, 2009-2011 and 2012-2013

5.1.5

Percentage of Canadian children and youth aged 6 to 17 years who are obese by household income, household education and Indigenous Identity and Visible Minority status, Canada, 2009-2013

5.1.6

BalancedView: An evidence-informed resource designed to reduce weight bias and stigma

5.2 Body Image

5.2.1

Percentage of Canadian children and youth in Grades 6 through 10 who report their body as too thin, about right or too fat, by grade and gender, Canada, 2014

5.2.2

Percentage of Canadian children and youth in Grades 6 through 10 who report their body as too thin, about right or too fat, Canada, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014

5.2.3

The percentage of Canadian students in Grades 6 through 10 who reported that they were doing something to lose weight, by grade and gender, Canada, 2014

5.2.4

Percentage of Canadian students in Grades 6 through 10 who reported being made fun of because of their body weight, by weight category and frequency of bullying, Canada, 2014

5.3 Eating Disorders

5.3.1

What are eating disorders?

5.3.2

Incidence of restrictive eating disorders among Canadian children and youth visiting paediatricians, by age group and gender, 2003 to 2004

5.3.3

Incidence of symptoms of eating disorders among girls, Ontario, Canada, 2001

Section 6

Lifestyle Choices

This section focuses on the impact of lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking and drug use on a growing healthy body. Levels of consumption, trends and impacts are presented as well as initiatives currently in place to reduce these behaviours in Canadian children and youth.

6.1 Smoking

6.1.1

Percentage of children under 2 years of age whose mother reported smoking during pregnancy, Canada, 1993 to 2008

6.1.2

Percentage of children under 2 years of age whose mother reported smoking during pregnancy, Canada and the provinces, 2005 to 2008

6.1.3

Percentage of Canadian youth aged 12 to 19 years who were current smokers (daily or occasional), Canada, 2003 to 2014

6.1.4

Percentage of Canadian youth aged 12 to 17 years who are current smokers (daily or occasional), Canada and the provinces/territories, 2015/2016

6.2 Alcohol

6.2.1

Percentage of children <2 years of age whose mother reported drinking any alcohol during pregnancy, Canada and the provinces, 1993 to 2008

6.2.2

Percentage of Canadian youth aged 12 to 19 who report binge drinking once a month or more, by gender, Canada, 2013/14

6.2.3

Percentage of Canadian youth in Grade 10 who reported drinking beer at least once a week, Canada, 1990 to 2014

6.2.4

Percentage of Canadian youth in Grade 10 who reported drinking liquor at least once a week, Canada, 1990 to 2014

6.2.5

Number of reported days that students drank alcohol in the last 30 days, by grade and gender, Canada, 2014

Section 7

Well-being

This section examines the well-being of Canadian children and youth presenting results from different studies and highlighting any national and international tools to measure overall well-being.

7.1 Satisfaction

7.1.1

Percentage of Canadian youth aged 12 to 17 years who report that they are satisfied or very satisfied with their lives, Canada and the provinces, 2016

7.2 Health and Stress

7.2.1

Percentage of 12 to 17 year olds who rated their health as very good or excellent, by gender, Canada and the provinces, 2016

7.2.2

Percentage of Canadian youth aged 12 to 17 who perceive their mental health as very good or excellent, Canada and the provinces, 2016

7.2.3

Percentage of Canadian youth aged 12 to 17 years who reported that most days their lives were very stressful or had quite a bit of stress, Canada and the provinces, 2016

7.2.4

Percentage of Canadian youth aged 12 to 17 years who reported that most days their lives were very stressful or had quite a bit of stress, by gender, Canada and select provinces, 2016

7.3 Belonging and Support

7.3.1

Percentage of Canadian youth aged 12 to 17 years who reported that they had a sense of belonging to their local community, Canada and the provinces, 2016

7.3.2

Percentage of Canadian youth who report that they agree or strongly agree with the statement that they belong at their school, by grade and gender, Canada, 2014

7.3.3

Percentage of youth in Grades 6, 8 and 10 who report low, medium and high levels of family support, by gender, Canada, 2014

7.3.4

Percentage of youth who report low, medium and high levels of community support, by gender and grade, Canada, 2014