Contents
- Chronic Disease/Injury Prevention and Built Environment
- Healthy Eating and Food Security
- Injury Prevention
- Physical Activity
- Healthy Environments
- Tobacco Control Program
Ministry of Health
Physical Activity
Physical activity is defined by the World Health Organization as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscles that require energy expenditure. This includes any movement such as crawling, walking, running, or lifting that one engages in.
The provincial government has identified physical activity as a key to healthy living, in addition to healthy eating and tobacco reduction. Through partnerships, the Ministry supports the development of programs and infrastructure to encourage physical activity throughout British Columbia.
Experience in other jurisdictions indicates that comprehensive, collaborative initiatives are essential to achieve long-term health benefits and improve health outcomes. British Columbia’s actions will complement, guide and support the efforts of individuals, groups, and the health sector to promote physical activity, healthy eating and wellness.
Initiatives
- Healthy Families BC Prescription for Health – support to adopt a healthier lifestyle
- ActionSchools! BC – supports schools to develop healthy living action plans
- Daily Physical Activity requirement – Ministry of Education requirement for Grades K to 12
- Physical Activity Line - a tele-health line and online resource that provides professional guidance to become more physically active (operated by the CSEP Health and Fitness Program of BC)
Partners
- British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association – dedicated to active healthy lifestyles and communities
- Hub for Action on School Transportation Emissions (HASTE) - supports programs including the “walking school bus and bicycle train”
- DASH BC - advocates for and mobilizes various school health initiatives
Learn more:
- Benefits of being active, with links to more resources
- Cost of inactivity, with links to reports and research
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