Young Canadians less fit
Statistics Canada research points to a dramatic decline in fitness over the last quarter century with young Canadians among the worst affected.
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Statistics Canada found that young Canadians are considerably less fit than they were a quarter century ago. Students may need to rethink their activity level to improve their health and fitness in the future. Photo: Allison McCabe
A new survey from Statistics Canada tells a grim story of the fitness levels of young Canadians. According to the survey, the average 20- to 39-year-old today has the same body composition as most 40-year-olds in 1981.
The survey, conducted between 2007 and 2009, measured fitness using a variety of indicators in order to gain a comprehensive view of how Canadians are doing. Comparing the new data with the same information from 1981 shows that Canadians have suffered a dramatic decline in fitness levels of all age groups over the past few decades.
Young people appear to be worst affected by this trend. Between 2007-2009, 21 per cent of females aged 20 to 39 years were classified as obese.
Statistics Canada also analyzed fitness factors such as muscle strength, aerobic fitness and flexibility, which declined significantly among young people, demonstrating that overall fitness and not just obesity has worsened.
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The percentage of young Canadians with waist circumferences that put them at high risk for health problems quadrupled between 1981 and 2007-09. Source: Statistics Canada
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Jenaya Rickard, a Dalhousie University biochemistry student and part-time personal trainer at the YMCA, understands that students have a hard time squeezing in exercise but thinks if students are informed about health and fitness, it will be easier to stay in shape.
"I understand the importance of health and fitness and realize that it is necessary to make it part of my daily routine," says Rickard, "If you understand the importance, it will just become a priority."
For students, efforts to get into shape can be influenced in large part by what resources are made available to them by their school.
"All that we can do is promote and advertise our services and make them affordable and accessible," says Pat MacDonald, fitness officer at Mount Saint Vincent University.
Sandra Jamieson, co-ordinator of programs, intramurals and clubs at Saint Mary's University, agrees that universities should encourage healthy lifestyles for their students. "We have a five-step program that holds their hands as they get introduced to the fitness equipment," she says.
Jamieson cites easy access to unhealthy food and time constraints as contributing to poor fitness among students. "Cost should not be an issue," Jamieson asserts, "there is no additional cost for SMU students to come to the Tower."
The survey states that between 1981 and 2007-2009, the percentage of Canadians aged 20 to 39 whose waist circumference puts them at risk for health problems has quadrupled. And just one quarter of that age group had aerobic fitness ratings that were either "very good" or "excellent."
MacDonald knows these problems exist but she has seen positive trends at MSVU as well.
"Students are definitely more interested in getting fit," she says. "We have more and more students wanting to come participate in the programs we have here."
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