Final answer:
While specific Canadian data over the past decade isn't provided, concerns mirror those of the U.S., where many do not meet recommended physical activity levels. Trends suggest reduced physical work and a likely correlation with decreased youth activity levels. Interventions and further research are needed to support children's health and address gender differences in activity levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
Over the past decade, tracking the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels of Canadian children and youth reveals that there have been concerns similar to those observed in the United States. According to the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines, moderate activities are those in which individuals can talk but not sing, and vigorous activities are those that only allow a few words to be said without pausing for breath. Despite the known benefits of such activities in reducing disease risk and improving overall health, many Americans—and likely Canadians as well—do not meet these guidelines.
Furthermore, various studies indicate that most adults now engage in less physical work than in the past, which might suggest a trend that children are following, potentially leading to decreased physical activity levels among youth as well. Programs aimed at increasing physical activity in children and youth, such as recommending around 1 hour of moderate exercise per day or more substantial endurance programs, are vital in attempting to improve these statistics and the overall health of the younger population.
Nevertheless, there remains a significant portion of students who exercise for only 60 minutes or less daily. This calls for broader surveys and studies to understand better the physical activity levels among youth and implement targeted interventions to increase these levels. Moreover, these interventions must recognize gender differences, as studies have sought to understand the variance in activity levels between boys and girls during middle childhood, an age where sports and peer-group activities become increasingly important.