Action Schools! BC - Four Health Targets

Health Targets

Action Schools! BC’s teaching resources and support materials were developed and selected to contribute to specific health and academic outcomes related to physical activity and pyhsical education, and healthy eating.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY/PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Healthy Bones – Strong bones are built during childhood and adolescence. Jumping, weight bearing, and strength training activities build strong skeletons, and decrease the risk of osteoporotic fractures later in life.

Healthy Heart – Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in Canada. Physical inactivity is considered to be a major modifiable risk factor for heart disease. Participation in active games, individual pursuits, and running or walking regularly will contribute to students’ heart health.

Healthy Muscles – Muscle strength and flexibility enhance functional ability and support life-long active living. Weight bearing and strength training activities exert forces on the bones contributing to healthy bone development. Stretching increases range of motion and contributes to muscle development.

Healthy Self – Healthy living contributes to the development of self-esteem, decreases tobacco use, supports proper nutrition, maintains healthy weight, and enhances academic performance.

HEALTHY EATING

Learning Activities – Eating practices and attitutes are established in childhood and adolescence, and childhood eating practices are predictive of eating patterns in adulthood. Diverse and creative classroom activities and discussions expose children to healthy eating choices and provide the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to build the foundation for life-long healthy eating.

Tracking Activities – Tracking aspects of healthy eating increases awareness of where changes are necessary and provides a foundation for setting goals to move towards healthier practices.

Tasting Activities – Repeated exposure to food, including preparation and tasting, is the most effective way to influence a child's eating behaviours. Some children require 10 to 15 exposures to a new food before they decide to try it, or to like it!

Snacking Activities – Healthy snacking throughout the day maintains energy for growing, learning and playing. Snacking activities expose children to the benefits of choosing healthy snacks, providing them with the opportunity to make their own snack choices, and encouraging them to bring healthy snacks to school.


	Info Centre School Active Communities Across Canada Evaluation

	Healthy Bones – Strong bones are built during childhood and adolescence. Jumping, weight bearing, and strength training activities build strong skeletons, and decrease the risk of osteoporotic fractures later in life.
	Healthy Heart – Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in Canada. Physical inactivity is considered to be a major modifiable risk factor for heart disease. Participation in active games, individual pursuits, and running or walking regularly will contribute to students’ heart health.
	Healthy Muscles – Muscle strength and flexibility enhance functional ability and support life-long active living. Weight bearing and strength training activities exert forces on the bones contributing to healthy bone development. Stretching increases range of motion and contributes to muscle development.
	Healthy Self – Healthy living contributes to the development of self-esteem, decreases tobacco use, supports proper nutrition, maintains healthy weight, and enhances academic performance.

	Learning Activities – Eating practices and attitutes are established in childhood and adolescence, and childhood eating practices are predictive of eating patterns in adulthood. Diverse and creative classroom activities and discussions expose children to healthy eating choices and provide the necessary knowledge, skills and experience to build the foundation for life-long healthy eating.
	Tracking Activities – Tracking aspects of healthy eating increases awareness of where changes are necessary and provides a foundation for setting goals to move towards healthier practices.
	Tasting Activities – Repeated exposure to food, including preparation and tasting, is the most effective way to influence a child's eating behaviours. Some children require 10 to 15 exposures to a new food before they decide to try it, or to like it!
	Snacking Activities – Healthy snacking throughout the day maintains energy for growing, learning and playing. Snacking activities expose children to the benefits of choosing healthy snacks, providing them with the opportunity to make their own snack choices, and encouraging them to bring healthy snacks to school.