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Prescription for Healthy Active Kids
 To help paediatricians encourage children and youth to be physically active, the CPS has produced a Prescription for Healthy Active Kids, which can be ordered through our Bookstore.
The tear-off pad is an easy-to-use tool that will help you monitor your patients’ progress toward a healthier lifestyle.
Here’s how to get the most of it:
- The front of the sheet summarizes the recommendations for physical activity from Canada’s Physical Activity Guides for Children and Youth. Review these recommendations with the patient and family. Health Canada also offers support materials at no cost that can supplement these recommendations. See the order form with this kit for more information.
- The back of the sheet will be personalized for each patient:
- Write the child’s name at the top, and the start date for their program.
- “Prescribe” the number of minutes of daily physical activity that the child should aim for over the next 4 weeks. If the child is currently sedentary, start with 30 minutes more each day.
- Encourage the child to do activities they enjoy. The sheet includes a brief list to spark ideas.
- Ask the child to record their physical activities, and the amount of time spent on them, on the sheet each day.
- Ask them to record the number of fruits and vegetables, as well as the number of glasses of water, consumed each day. While not a comprehensive nutritional screen, this will help you identify some common problem areas.
- Book a return visit for the following month, and record it in the space provided.
- At the child’s next visit, review progress. Praise what they’ve done, and look for ways to encourage them to go even further. So, for instance, if they’re up to at least 30 minutes more physical activity each day, encourage them to move up to at least 45 minutes.
- Look for patterns in their chosen activities, and encourage them. Children are more likely to stick with something they enjoy.
- Weigh the child at each follow-up visit to monitor their progress.
To order
Each pad of 50 is available for $6.50 (non-members) or $5.50 (CPS members). Visit our Bookstore to order.
Last updated: November 2006
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