Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
January 19, 2015

Physical Activity Vital to Building Healthy Communities

Partnership with ParticipACTION Focuses on More Time for Active Play

The Provincial Government is partnering with ParticipACTION, the national voice of physical activity and sport participation in Canada, in the new Make Room for Play physical activity campaign which calls on Canadian families to cut down on screen time and encourage more active play.

"The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is investing $150,000 to partner in this innovative national campaign. It is a cost-effective means of promoting our shared values of improving physical activity for all, particularly our children and youth. We know our young people are spending hours a day behind some kind of screen - whether it is for educational or entertainment purposes. We need to encourage them to be as active as possible; to make room for playtime by turning screen time into active time."
The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development

Television commercials featuring the Make Room for Play message began airing in Newfoundland and Labrador last week.

Research indicates that Canadian children spend an average of almost eight hours a day in front of television, video games, smartphones and computer screens. The Make Room for Play campaign includes a variety of downloadable communication tools, fast facts, and a series of 30-second videos that inform parents and encourage them to think about how their own family's screen time habits impact active play time.

"We thank Minister Jackman and the Provincial Government for joining us to bring our important message to families in Newfoundland and Labrador. Together, we can tackle screen time and make room for play."
- Elio Antunes, President and CEO, ParticipACTION

The Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for children and youth recommend at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day - and only five per cent of children are achieving this goal.

For detailed information about the Make Room for Play campaign, and to watch the videos, visit: //www.participaction.com/make-room-for-play-nl/  

QUICK FACTS

• The Provincial Government has partnered with ParticipACTION, the national voice of physical activity and sport participation in Canada, with a $150,000 investment in the new Make Room for Play physical activity campaign.
• The campaign calls on Canadian families to reduce screen time and encourage more active play.
• The Make Room for Play campaign includes communication tools, fast facts, and a series of 30-second videos that inform parents and encourage them to think about how their own family's screen time habits impact active play time.
• For detailed information about the Make Room for Play campaign and to watch the videos, visit: //www.participaction.com/make-room-for-play-nl/  

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2015 01 19                              11:50 a.m.