Canadian children are getting a “D” grade for their overall physical health.

ParticipACTION has released its 2022 Child and Youth Report Card which highlights a “concerning” drop in kids’ movement.

Researcher Dr. Travis Saunders says the pandemic played a huge role as it brought the world to a standstill.

“Children were less active, especially during the height of restrictions,” Saunders tells our newsroom. “So that’s a big reason why the grade is what it is. And screen time also went up for the same reason. Kids were spending obviously an awful lot of time at home.”

He adds not all groups had equal access to outdoor play when restrictions came into effect. Researchers found that car-free street spaces in urban areas tended to be located near households that were without children. Lower-income families were also less likely to participate in organized sports during the pandemic.

Saunders says physical activity is super important for kids.

He explains kids who are active perform better right across the board from bone health and muscle strength to interpersonal skills.

Saunders adds there were some silver linings outlined in the report card as parents and communities tried to help keep kids moving despite restrictions. They worked to keep sports open, opened up urban spaces for play, and took kids on adventures outside.

Due to these efforts, grades increased for active transportation, active play, and household support for physical activity.

Saunders says a good tip to get the physical activity grade up for the next report card is to reduce screen time.

“One thing that’s standing out in this report card is the recommendation that families have a media plan in terms of when we use screens, how we use screens, and where we use screens,” Saunders says. “So maybe it’s that we don’t use screens at the dinner table, or that we don’t take screens into the bedroom. We charge them overnight in the kitchen.”

He says the biggest thing is to just get kids moving. “All activity is good activity,” according to Saunders.

**With files from Anastasia Payne.**