Finding reliable data about Canadian youth physical activity can feel overwhelming. Parents, educators, and policymakers need accurate numbers to understand the current state of children's fitness—and what they can do about it. At Fitness Avenue, we've compiled the most current youth fitness statistics in Canada to help families make informed decisions about their children's health.
Key Takeaways
- National data shows that 79% of Canadian youth ages 12–17 fall short of the recommended 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous daily activity.
- 39% of children aged 5-17 meet physical activity recommendations, with boys nearly twice as likely as girls to meet targets.
- Youth physical activity dropped 15 percentage points from pre-pandemic levels, with teenage girls hit hardest.
- Physical inactivity costs Canada $3.9 billion annually in direct healthcare costs.
- Data shows that soccer is the preferred sport for Canadian kids, with 16% of those ages 3–17 involved.
- Less than 3% of Canadian youth meet all three 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for physical activity, screen time, and sleep.
Canadian Youth Physical Activity Statistics at a Glance
The numbers paint a concerning picture of youth fitness across Canada. According to Statistics Canada's Canadian Health Measures Survey, only 21% of youth aged 12-17 meet recommended physical activity levels—down from 36% in 2018-2019.
Children aged 5-11 fare somewhat better, with 52% meeting physical activity recommendations. Preschoolers show the highest compliance rates at 91%, though this drops dramatically as children enter school years.
Key breakdown by age and sex:
|
Age Group |
Meeting Guidelines |
Boys |
Girls |
|---|---|---|---|
|
3-4 years |
91% |
93% |
89% |
|
5-11 years |
52% |
66% |
37% |
|
12-17 years |
21% |
33% |
8% |
The gender gap widens significantly during adolescence. Males (33%) are over four times as likely as females (8%) to meet physical activity recommendations in the teenage years.
What Are the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines?
Canada pioneered the world’s first integrated movement-behaviour guidelines for children and youth with the release of the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines in 2016. Developed by the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology and ParticipACTION, these guidelines recognize that physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep are interconnected.
For children and youth aged 5-17, the guidelines recommend:
- A daily goal of 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous movement is advised, along with activities that build muscle and bone strength at least 3 days per week.
- No more than 2 hours of recreational screen time per day
- 9-11 hours of sleep for ages 5-13, or 8-10 hours for ages 14-17
- Several hours of light physical activity spread throughout the day
- Limited sitting for extended periods
Youth who meet these guidelines tend to experience improved heart health, greater bone strength, better mental health, reduced depression and anxiety, and stronger academic results.
The reality is stark: less than 3% of Canadian children and youth aged 10-17 meet all three key recommendations. More children meet sleep guidelines (66%) than physical activity (35%) or screen time recommendations (8%).
How Much Has Youth Physical Activity Declined in Canada?
Youth physical activity in Canada has declined over the past several years. The most dramatic drops occurred between 2018 and 2024, with teenagers showing the sharpest decreases.
The percentage of youth aged 12-17 meeting physical activity recommendations declined from 36% in 2018-2019 to 21% in 2022-2024, a 15 percentage-point decline. This represents the only age group to show significant decreases since the last data collection period.
Breaking down this decline by sex reveals an even more concerning pattern:
- Boys aged 12-17: Dropped from 50% to 33% meeting recommendations
- Girls aged 12-17: Dropped from 21% to just 8% meeting recommendations
A home fitness space can make regular physical activity more accessible and help shift these patterns. Families looking to create youth-friendly workout areas can explore equipment packages tailored to different fitness levels and space requirements.
How Did COVID-19 Affect Youth Physical Activity in Canada?
The COVID-19 pandemic created a physical activity crisis for Canadian children and youth. Research from Statistics Canada and multiple national surveys documented significant drops in activity levels during and after pandemic restrictions.
Pandemic restrictions saw compliance with 24-hour movement guidelines fall to 4.8% among children and 0.8% among youth, compared to about 15% before COVID-19.
A national survey of parents in April 2020 found that children were:
- Less physically active overall
- Playing outside less frequently
- More sedentary and spending more time on screens
- Sleeping more, but with disrupted routines
Physical activity dropped by 14 percentage points among Canadian youth from fall 2018 to fall 2020. The closure of schools, recreational facilities, organized sports programs, and playgrounds eliminated many opportunities for structured and unstructured physical activity.
Lingering Effects
Most concerning is that youth activity levels have not fully recovered. While boys showed some rebound in activity by 2021-2022, girls' physical activity levels remained depressed with no significant recovery evident. Researchers suggest that children whose regular gym classes and sports were suddenly cancelled in 2020 may never have returned to more active patterns.
The pandemic also significantly disrupted outdoor play patterns. Research found that during the early stages of COVID-19 restrictions, children:
- Engaged in less outdoor physical activity
- Spent more time on indoor sedentary activities
- Lost access to neighbourhood playmates and informal play opportunities
- Experienced mental health declines related to reduced activity and social isolation
Parents reported that 65.9% noticed changes in their children's behaviour due to the pandemic, with many experiencing challenges supporting their children's activity during periods when public health measures were in place. However, families who had access to outdoor spaces and formed "mini bubbles" with other families reported better maintenance of children's activity levels.
Parents who established home fitness routines during the pandemic often used basic equipment, such as foam flooring, to create safe indoor activity spaces, particularly during harsh Canadian winters.
How Many Canadian Youth Participate in Organized Sports?
Participation in organized sports among Canadian children and youth has shown encouraging recovery following pandemic disruptions. The CFLRI’s 2022 Parent Survey indicates that nearly seven in ten Canadian children and teens (5–17) engaged in sport over the prior year.
This represents a substantial increase from the 44% who participated during the pandemic height in 2021. However, participation rates vary by demographics:
- Boys (71%) participate at higher rates than girls (64%)
- Girls aged 12-17 are significantly less likely to participate than younger boys
- Children of recent immigrants participate at lower rates (32%) than children of Canadian-born parents (55%)
Most Popular Sports for Canadian Youth
Soccer leads as the most popular sport among Canadian youth, with 16% of children aged 3-17 participating, representing approximately 1 million young Canadians. The Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute ranks youth sports participation as follows:
- Soccer - 28% of sports participants
- Basketball - 17% of sports participants
- Hockey/Ringette - 16% of sport participants
- Swimming/Aquatic activities - Fourth most popular
Soccer's accessibility and lower cost compared to hockey contribute to its popularity. While hockey remains culturally significant, its high cost (averaging $1,666 annually) creates barriers for many families.
Participation Patterns
Sport participation varies significantly by how regularly children engage. Among youth who participate in sport:
- 24% participate every month of the year
- 33% participate between 6 and 11 months annually
- 26% participate for less than 6 months
- 23% participate four or more times per week during active months
New Canadian youth show distinct preferences in sports. While hockey is the third most popular sport among Canadian youth overall, it drops to ninth among recent immigrant families. Soccer, swimming, and basketball are the top three sports for new Canadian youth.
Among Indigenous youth, hockey ranks as the top organized sport, followed by swimming, soccer, and basketball. Understanding these cultural variations helps communities design inclusive programming that meets diverse needs.
How Does Physical Inactivity Affect Canadian Children's Health?
Physical inactivity among children and youth carries significant health consequences, both immediate and long-term. According to government health data, 30% of Canadian children aged 5-17 are now classified as overweight or obese.
Health impacts of insufficient physical activity include:
- Increased obesity risk and associated conditions like Type 2 diabetes
- Reduced cardiovascular fitness and increased blood pressure
- Lower bone density during critical growth periods
- Increased mental health challenges, such as elevated anxiety and depression rates.
- Decreased academic performance and cognitive function
- Reduced self-esteem and social development
Research consistently shows that physical activity has beneficial effects on reducing depression and anxiety in youth. Children who meet physical activity, sleep, and screen time recommendations together report significantly better mental health outcomes, including higher happiness and life satisfaction scores.
Obese children face an 80% likelihood of remaining obese as adults, making childhood physical activity habits a critical determinant of lifelong health. Introducing age-appropriate strength training with equipment such as adjustable kettlebells can help youth develop healthy exercise habits that they carry into adulthood.
What Do Youth Sedentary Behaviour Statistics Show?
Canadian children and youth spend significant portions of their day being sedentary. As reported in the PASS Indicators, youth in Canada accumulate around 8.4 hours of sedentary behaviour each day, with leisure screen time accounting for 3.8 hours.
Screen time statistics reveal concerning patterns:
- Only 53.3% of children and youth meet current sedentary behaviour recommendations (no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time daily)
- Youth aged 12-17 are less likely to meet screen time targets (28%) compared to younger children (62%)
- Youth spend an average of 10.6 hours per day being sedentary overall.
The pandemic has significantly accelerated the increase in screen time. Data shows that many youth shifted from the recommended screen time category (two hours or less per day) to the highest category (four hours or more per day) between 2018 and 2021.
Impact on Mental Health
Research from the Canadian Health Survey on Children and Youth found that youth who meet the recreational screen time recommendation of 2 hours or less per day are:
- They are more likely to rate their mental health as excellent or very good.
- More likely to report high happiness and life satisfaction
- Less likely to report often feeling stressed
- Less likely to experience psychosocial difficulties
Creating engaging alternatives to screens, such as home fitness spaces with stability balls and other fitness accessories, can help families reduce sedentary time.
What Factors Influence Youth Physical Activity Levels in Canada?
Multiple interconnected factors influence whether Canadian children and youth meet physical activity recommendations. Research identifies several key determinants at individual, family, community, and policy levels.
Parental Influence
Parental physical activity habits strongly predict children's activity levels. The General Social Survey data show that participation rates reach only 35% for children with neither parent involved in sport, compared to 57% when at least one parent is an active participant.
Socioeconomic Status
Household income significantly impacts youth sports participation. Children from higher-income families have greater access to organized sports, equipment, and facilities. The cost of youth sports presents real barriers—families with teens aged 13-17 report spending over $2,500 per year per child on organized and casual sports and activities.
Geographic Location
Children in Canada's three largest cities (Toronto, Montréal, Vancouver) have lower sports participation rates (47%) compared to smaller cities and towns (58%). Rural youth face distinct challenges, including:
- Limited access to recreational facilities
- Transportation barriers
- Fewer organized sports options
Climate
The ParticipACTION Report Card highlights climate change as an emerging barrier. Weather alerts in Canada have more than doubled over the past 10 years, with heatwaves, heavy rain, and poor air quality leading to the cancellation of outdoor activities and recesses.
What Are the Biggest Barriers to Youth Physical Activity?
Understanding barriers helps families and communities develop targeted solutions. Research from the Canadian Community Health Survey and other national studies identifies several primary obstacles.
Motivation
Studies of overweight and obese youth found that motivation to partake in physical activity was cited as the most common barrier by 56% of caregivers surveyed.
Time Constraints
Finding time to exercise ranked second among barriers at 40%. Busy family schedules, competing demands from homework and extracurricular activities, and long commutes reduce available time for physical activity.
Financial Constraints
Financial constraints affected 24% of families. Sports registration fees, equipment costs, and transportation expenses create significant barriers for lower-income households.
Access to Facilities
Rural youth are 3 times more likely than urban youth to report barriers to accessing free or low-cost facilities. Transportation to recreation sites presents particular challenges for families in remote areas.
Screen Competition
Digital devices and social media compete directly for youth attention. The ease and instant gratification of screen-based entertainment often outweigh the benefits of physical activity, particularly for adolescents.
Home fitness solutions can address several of these barriers simultaneously. A basic setup with interlocking foam mats and dumbbells creates opportunities for activity regardless of weather, facility access, or tight schedules.
What Are the Benefits of Physical Activity for Canadian Youth?
Physical activity provides wide-ranging advantages for children and teens, including physical, mental, cognitive, and social benefits. Research consistently demonstrates positive outcomes across multiple health indicators.
Physical Health Benefits
According to the CDC and extensive research literature, regular physical activity for children:
- Improves cardiovascular health and reduces blood pressure
- Builds strong muscles and bones during critical development periods
- Maintains a healthy weight and reduces body fat
- Improves aerobic fitness and physical endurance
- Helps protect against Type 2 diabetes and a range of other long-term health conditions.
Mental Health Benefits
Regular movement functions as a strong protective factor for youth mental well-being:
- Reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Improves attention and memory function
- Builds self-esteem and confidence
- Reduces psychological distress and stress levels
- Improves overall mood and emotional regulation
Research from Ontario found that youth meeting all three 24-Hour Movement Guidelines recommendations showed significantly lower depression and anxiety scores compared to those meeting none.
Cognitive and Academic Benefits
Routine physical activity is associated with improved cognitive performance and academic achievement, though effects are typically small to moderate. Studies show benefits including:
- Better concentration and attention span
- Improved executive function
- Enhanced memory retention
- Better classroom behaviour
Social Benefits
Engaging in physical activity and sport helps support:
- Teamwork and leadership skills development
- Social connectedness and reduced feelings of loneliness
- Communication skills improvement
- Character building through structured sport
Notably, 61% of Canadians agree that sport, physical activity, and recreation help reduce feelings of loneliness, while 76% feel welcome and included through physical activity programs. These social benefits extend to both children and their families, as sporting events create community connections for parents as well.
Strength training, when properly supervised, offers particular benefits for youth. Equipment like adjustable benches and weight plates can support age-appropriate resistance training programs. The AmStaff Black Bumper Plates provide durable options for families building home gyms where youth can learn proper lifting techniques.
What Are the Economic Benefits of Youth Physical Activity?
Investing in youth physical activity generates substantial economic returns for Canadian society. Research from the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute and health economists quantifies these benefits.
Healthcare Cost Savings
Physical inactivity accounts for $3.9 billion in annual health care expenditures in Canada, according to the CFLRI and Canadian Parks and Recreation Association's 2023 report. Getting just 10% of Canadians to move more could save $629 million in healthcare costs from chronic conditions like heart disease and Type 2 diabetes each year.
Sector Economic Impact
The sport, physical activity, and recreation (SPAR) sector contributes significantly to Canada's economy:
- $37.2 billion annually to gross domestic product
- $13.6 billion annually through volunteerism in sport organizations
- 2.2 million volunteers filling 5.3 million positions in sport programs
Long-term Productivity
Evidence suggests that consistent physical activity is associated with lifetime earnings that are 6% to 10% higher. Healthy, active children are more likely to become healthy, productive adults who use less healthcare.
Infrastructure Investment
The Canadian government invested $2 billion in physical activity, sport, and recreation infrastructure in 2022. The replacement value of aging SPAR infrastructure is estimated at $42.5 billion, highlighting the substantial capital already dedicated to supporting active lifestyles.
How Can Parents Help Improve Youth Fitness at Home?
Creating opportunities for physical activity at home addresses many common barriers to youth fitness. Here are evidence-based strategies parents can implement.
Create Dedicated Activity Space
Designating space for physical activity—whether a corner of a room or a garage gym—signals that fitness is a family priority. Starting with basics like gym flooring protects floors and provides comfortable surfaces for exercise.
Start with Age-Appropriate Equipment
Younger children benefit from simple equipment that makes exercise fun. Consider:
- Stability balls for core exercises and active sitting
- Resistance bands for strength development
- Jump ropes for cardiovascular fitness
For older youth interested in strength training, progressive equipment like dumbbell sets allows gradual advancement.
Model Active Behaviour
Research consistently shows that children with active parents are more likely to be active themselves. Exercising together as a family reinforces physical activity as a normal part of daily life rather than a chore.
Limit Screen Time Strategically
Replace some screen time with active alternatives. The Canadian Pediatric Society recommends:
- No screen time for children under 2
- Less than 1 hour daily for children 2-4
- No more than 2 hours of recreational screen time for children 5+
Support Structured and Unstructured Play
Both organized sports and free play help meet activity guidelines. Outdoor time is associated with higher physical activity levels—encourage children to spend time outside daily when the weather permits.
Consider Home Gym Options
For families with teenagers interested in strength training, home equipment provides convenience and removes transportation barriers. Options range from basic bumper plates and barbells to comprehensive setups with power racks or home gyms.
The AmStaff Summit Power Rack offers a sturdy foundation for teen athletes progressing to barbell training. Its heavy-duty 3" x 3" 11-gauge steel construction handles serious workouts, and its adjustable features accommodate growing bodies.
For families with limited space, all-in-one solutions like Smith Machines, including the AmStaff SD-2500 All-in-One Smith Machine, provide guided lifting with built-in safety features—ideal for youth learning proper form.
Kettlebells offer versatile training options that build functional strength, while weighted vests add resistance to bodyweight exercises. The AmStaff Weighted Vest is adjustable, making it suitable as young athletes progress.
Complete dumbbell sets with racks provide the foundation for progressive strength training, allowing youth to start light and gradually increase weight as they develop proper technique and build strength over time.
FAQs
How Many Children Are Overweight or Obese?
Childhood obesity rates in Canada have risen dramatically over recent decades and represent a significant public health concern. Supporting healthy active living is increasingly important as these trends continue to grow.
Currently, 30% of Canadian children aged 5-17 are classified as overweight or obese. This rate has nearly tripled since 1978-79, when only 15% of children aged 2-17 fell into these categories. Increasing opportunities for vigorous physical activity is one way communities can help reverse this trajectory.
Obesity rates vary by age and sex:
- Approximately 1 in 7 Canadian children and youth is obese (about 14%)
- Rates increase with age, with adolescents showing higher obesity prevalence than younger children
- Boys show higher rates of self-reported obesity than girls
One-third of Canadian children and youth are now classified as either overweight or as having obesity based on directly measured data from the Canadian Health Measures Survey. This excess weight increases risk for Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, joint problems, and psychosocial difficulties during childhood and into adulthood, underscoring the need for optimal health benefits supported by regular movement and balanced lifestyles.
How Does Screen Time Affect Youth Fitness?
Screen time directly competes with physical activity and is associated with multiple health concerns beyond simple displacement of active time.
Youth spend an average of 3.8 hours per day on recreational screen time, nearly double the recommended maximum of 2 hours. Research from national health surveys consistently links excessive screen time to:
- Higher rates of overweight and obesity are independent of physical activity levels
- Reduced physical fitness and lower cardiovascular health markers
- More frequent mental health challenges, such as rising levels of anxiety and depression.
- Lower self-esteem and body satisfaction scores
- Reduced sleep duration and quality
The relationship between screen time and health is complex. Even children who meet physical activity recommendations show negative health associations when screen time is excessive. This suggests that reducing sedentary screen time provides independent benefits beyond simply being more active.
Adherence to screen time guidelines has worsened over time. The percentage of children aged 5-11 meeting screen time recommendations dropped from 73% in 2018-2019 to 62% in 2022-2024.
What is the Most Popular Sport for Canadian Youth?
Soccer is definitely the most popular organized sport among Canadian youth, with approximately 16% of children aged 3-17 participating. This translates to roughly 1 million young Canadians playing organized soccer.
Among active sport participants aged 5-17, the breakdown is:
- Soccer - 28% of participants
- Basketball - 17% of participants
- Hockey/Ringette - 16% of participants
- Swimming/Aquatic sports - Fourth most popular
Soccer's popularity stems from several factors:
- Lower cost compared to sports like hockey (soccer averages around $1,400 annually)
- Accessibility for children of all skill levels
- Year-round availability with indoor and outdoor options
- Growing global appeal and visibility through professional leagues
Hockey, despite being Canada's national winter sport, ranks third in youth participation. The high costs (equipment, ice time, travel) create barriers that prevent many families from enrolling children. Interestingly, among young adults aged 18-24, hockey has the highest participation rate at 21.8%.
Movement disciplines like dance, ballet, and gymnastics are extremely popular among girls, with 25% of girls aged 3-17 participating, ahead of all team sports combined for this demographic.
Final Thoughts
The youth fitness statistics in Canada reveal both concerning trends and clear opportunities for improvement. With only 21% of teenagers meeting physical activity guidelines and childhood obesity rates at 30%, the need for action is clear—especially given the long-term risk of chronic disease highlighted by many health organizations, including the public health agency.
The good news is that the solutions are within reach. Parents can make meaningful differences by modelling active behaviour, creating home fitness spaces, limiting screen time, and supporting both organized sports and free play. Communities benefit from investing in accessible recreational facilities, programming, and improving active transportation options so youth can walk or bike safely.
Research consistently shows that physical activity levels established in childhood tend to persist into adulthood. This makes early intervention particularly valuable—children who develop active habits are more likely to maintain them throughout their lives, reducing lifetime healthcare costs and improving quality of life.
For families beginning their home fitness journey, starting simple makes sense. A few square feet of gym flooring, basic fitness accessories, and benches for bodyweight exercises create enough infrastructure for effective family workouts. As children grow and develop an interest in more structured training, adding equipment like cable machines or the comprehensive AmStaff HG2000 Home Gym expands possibilities.
At Fitness Avenue, we've helped thousands of Canadian families create home fitness environments that support active lifestyles since 2007. From basic foam flooring for safe play areas to complete home gym setups, the right equipment makes it easier for the whole family to keep moving.
Every minute of activity counts toward better health. Encouraging youth to move more—be it through sports, outdoor play, or at-home workouts—sets the stage for lifelong benefits.
Citations:
[1] https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/251017/dq251017b-eng.htm
[2] https://www.participaction.com/the-science/children-and-youth-report-card/
[3] https://csepguidelines.ca/guidelines/children-youth/
[4] https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/healthy-living/physical-activity/24-hour-movement-guidelines-children-youth.html
[5] https://cflri.ca/publication/sport-participation-among-children-and-youth/
[6] https://measuring-impact.ca/
[7] https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/obesity-excess-weight-rates-canadian-children.html
[8] https://ijbnpa.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12966-020-00987-8
[9] https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/82-003-x/2023010/article/00001-eng.htm
[10] https://health-infobase.canada.ca/datalab/pass-blog.html
