International Walk to School Day - October 3, 2018

Sarnia, ON - When it comes to personal health and school success, ParticipACTION® says "Canadian kids are sitting too much and moving too little to reach their full potential."

Authors of the recent ParticipACTION® report - 'Canadian kids need to move more to boost their brain health' - found that adding more physical activity to kids’ routines "could be the missing part of the equation in support of their success in the classroom, on the field and with their friends."

On October 3, in an effort to boost physical activity and brain health, Lambton Public Health encourages all students to participate in International Walk to School Day.

Kelley Elliott, Health Promoter with Lambton Public Health, says "In addition to physical health, the report highlights the benefits of active school travel on memory, attention span and concentration, reduced stress, anxiety and depression, and increased happiness."

Research has shown that active school travelers, compared to children driven to school, accumulated about 17 minutes more per day of physical activity or about 23% of the recommended daily moderate-to-vigorous physical activity.

Active travel also helps children learn about their neighbourhood, develop independence and connect with friends.

To read the report visit ParticipACTION's website.

For more information on active school travel, call Lambton Public Health at 519-344-2057 ext. 2346, toll-free 1-800-667-1839 or visit http://ontarioactiveschooltravel.ca/. To learn about child physical activity and brain health visit ParticipACTION's website.

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Please contact:

Kelley Elliott
Health Promoter
County of Lambton
519-344-2057 ext. 2346
Email Kelley Elliott