From Neighborhood Games to Sedentary Habits
Growing up in my neighborhood, an unspoken rule dictated our afternoons: after school, we’d drop our bookbags at home and gear up for the day’s activity. Between ten and fifteen kids would gather to play street hockey, baseball, soccer, or less structured games like kick-the-can, hide-and-seek, or ones we invented ourselves. Whatever we chose, we played until dinnertime, when parents’ signature whistles or yells summoned us home, pausing the game. Depending on the season, we’d resume after dinner, playing until darkness fell, and one by one, those whistles or yells called us back again.
As we grew older, extracurricular activities replaced the pre-dinner playtime. From one season to the next, we participated in cross-country, soccer, basketball, volleyball, track and field, two-pitch, or even choir and music lessons. It wasn’t about who excelled; everyone tried out, and nearly everyone got to play. After practice or a game, we’d head home for dinner, then return to the evening’s neighborhood fun. When homework entered the picture, it took priority, but fun followed. Throughout elementary school, our evenings and weekends brimmed with activity, healthy games, and neighborhood camaraderie. Fights occasionally broke out, but they taught us valuable conflict-resolution skills.
The Shift to Sedentary Lifestyles
When it was too cold, too dark, or too rainy, we’d turn to video games, watch television, or play indoors. But staying inside was rare if we had a choice. It’s strange and somewhat sad to see how times have changed.
Today, children often prioritize video games and TV over extracurricular activities. Neighborhoods are quieter, with fewer kids playing outside. At a time when childhood obesity is rising, we must question what we’re promoting to our children.
In 2002, a Statistics Canada survey reported that approximately 500,000 Canadian children—8% of those aged 2 to 17—were obese. Over the past 25 years, obesity among teens aged 12 to 17 increased by 6%. Factors include current nutritional standards, cultural influences, genetics, and, crucially, how children spend their time.
While some experts note that children are spending less time watching TV, video and computer gaming is on the rise, fostering a more sedentary lifestyle.
The Canadian Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (CAHPERD) launched the Quality Daily Physical Education (QDPE) initiative, advocating for at least 30 minutes of constructive physical activity daily for students from kindergarten to grade 12. Unfortunately, few classrooms consistently meet this goal. CAHPERD’s primary aim is to implement QDPE effectively to combat the “inactivity crisis plaguing Canadian children and youth.”
Schools committed to physical education and extracurricular activities are vital. Children involved in these activities are less likely to struggle with obesity and lead healthier lives. Encouraging participation in physical activities, intramurals, or sports teams reduces time spent on sedentary pursuits like video games or TV. Studies also show that children in extracurriculars tend to perform better academically, paving the way for happier, healthier futures.
Parents play a key role by encouraging active lifestyles. Setting limits on video game and TV time fosters discipline and pushes children toward alternative activities. Promoting outdoor play boosts physical activity and nurtures creativity as kids invent games or adventures.
An active lifestyle, started young, can last a lifetime. Encouraging children to prioritize physical health early on ensures they lead healthy lives long after parental guidance fades. Teach them young to be active for life.
