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Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines

Age Physical and Sedentary Guidelines
Birth to four years
  • 180 minutes of physical activity of any intensity throughout the day
  • Development toward 60 minutes of energetic play daily by age five
  • Screen time is not recommended for children under two years of age
  • Daily screen time for children two to four years should not exceed one hour
Five to 11 years
  • 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity daily
  • Three days of vigorous intensity activities
  • Three days of muscle- and bone-strengthening activities
  • Daily screen time for children aged five to 11 should not exceed two hours

Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines (Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, 2014a; Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, 2014b) and Canadian Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines (Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, 2014c; Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, 2014d)

Women and Children
Primary Prevention of Childhood Obesity
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