Building a culture of active living for NL youth
The future of this province is only as healthy as the next generation. Building a culture of healthy active living is essential to improve the health and wellness of children and youth in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Dr. Michelle Kilborn, assistant professor with the School of Human Kinetics and Recreation (HKR) at 糖心视频 University recently led the Healthy Active Living in Newfoundland Research Project along with HKR's Drs. Erin Cameron, Erin McGowan and Linda Rohr. The report was released this past summer through partnership funding from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador鈥檚 Department of Seniors, Wellness, and Social Development and Recreation Newfoundland and Labrador.
鈥淚n our report, we explored the gaps and opportunities of healthy active living initiatives and programs for school-aged children and youth in Newfoundland,鈥 said Dr. Kilborn. 鈥淭he report鈥檚 recommendations identified a number of themes around government strategies, partnerships, facilities, programming, program leads, funding and evaluation.鈥
When Dr. Kilborn learned of the earlier this week regarding initiatives to support healthy schools and communities under the 鈥渟tart right now鈥 approach she was encouraged. She supports the idea of school-based programs, and sees it as an effective way to reach most kids in the province.
鈥淭his is a great start to investing in the health and wellness of the province鈥檚 students. It is good when money is invested in physical education,鈥 said Dr. Kilborn. 鈥淭his announcement supports many of our report鈥檚 recommendations. I look forward to seeing how this initiative will link to a broader government wide strategy for wellness and healthy active living for young people in this province.鈥