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Shocking Fitness Stats

by ccora
4 replies
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Here are results of a Statistics Canada survey on fitness habits among Canadians from 2007 to 2009. *The fitness statistics are indeed very grim. *Statistics Canada wanted to find out how many people do at least 150 minutes of at least moderate to intense level exercise per week. It turns out that only 15% of adults in Canada get enough exercise per week (17% for men, 14% for women).

This is not just for adults either as the Statistics Canada survey covered kids as well and the data for children are even more dismal. Only 7% of kids from age 7 to 17 get enough exercise (9% for boys, 4% for girls). Parents of children should take extra note of these results as it relates to their kids because the study also suggests that kids get even more sedentary as they grow older.

The way I feel it is that personal development should include health. *When you work so hard in personal development for your career for example, it's little use if you will not be healthy enough to actually enjoy the fruits of your labour. The fitness statistics are for Canada only but I would think that other industrialized nations would have similar data. *

So I would be curious. *Based on your observations in the area in which you live and work, would you say that these StatsCan figures are on par with what's happening in your community as well? *What's your feeling when you see such figures here?
  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    what is MODERATE? what is even INTENSE? given what we see here, ths could be a GOOD sign. I mean if intense is puhing yourself to the limit, and it is an impressive limit, then 2.5 HOURS is an unreasonable expectation.

    Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Fernando Veloso
    Portuguese government has made an effort to create local infrastructures for people to do sports, walk, run, etc etc. Just beside my house there is a big new green park with many options for those willing to some some sports. And I see more and more people in there each and everyday, especially senior citizens walking up and down for 1-2 hours. Pretty cool.
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    People make good money selling to the rich. But the rich got rich selling to the masses.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Where I am people are in frightening condition. I've even watched my own deteriorate. There are a few walking paths along rivers and canals, but they are very careful not to make it easy for people to park anywhere so they can easily use the trails. Outside of one walking trail beside the river there is no place bigger than a few city blocks that is open to the public - those that are actually big enough to give you a decent stroll in a little bit of a woodsy atmosphere you have to pay an arm and a leg to get into. Yet there are over 300,000 people around here that have only these few areas to depend on for recreation. There are a lot more open trails if you have the time and money to travel 30 - 40 miles to get to them.

    What's even worse is that the air here is about the worst quality I have ever been exposed to for this length of time. I think of people biking in this stuff and it makes my skin crawl.

    Glad to be going to where people have more interest and respect in outdoor activity and exercise. YAY.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Yeah, they have SO many ways to make exercising fun and simple, but unless you have the money and space, you probably won't be able to avail yourself of them.

    BTW there is a site, I wish I remembered the URL, but there are similar sites. There is at least one site that shows squats, curls, pullups, etc... and tells how many everyone from like 8 to 90 ought to be able to do, and takes sex into account. A site like THAT is more meaningful than some stat that is totally meaningless since it is totally subjective. The OP, unless specifying the perception and tests of the orign of the statistics, is totally meaningless.

    I WILL say that I am NOT in great shape, and some that would LIKE to think they are in better shape really AREN'T!

    I went to a military school, for example, and had a reputation for not doing pushups. The fact is that I sometimes DID! But what REALLY amused me was that although many CLAIMED they could, and even "SHOWED ME", they really COULDN'T! They defined a pushup VERY different from how I did!

    THEIR definition?
    Assume a pushup position and, WITHOUT care for posture, move down and up. It's okay if it is almost imperceptible! You can also go down, relax, and pushup again.

    MY definition?
    Assume a pushup position and, while keeping PERFECT POSTURE, move down until your chest JUST touches the ground, but keep all the wait on your arms, then push back up so your arms are fully extended.

    And your weight DOES play a part. I once figured that the force needed to do a pushup is roughly 60% of your total weight. Of course, I am male, it may play less of a part in females because of weight distribution and height and relative musculature plays a part. Still, if a 100 pound person does a pushup, each one is about 60 pounds. If a 200 pound person does it, each is about 120 pounds. and this is MY way. THEIR way, it is a fraction of that.

    Steve
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