A new study has raised concerns about the activity level and health of Canadian kids.
The annual report from Active Healthy Kids Canada, ParticipACTION and the CHEO Research Institute says only seven per cent of Canadian children are meeting Canada's physical activity guidelines.
It also suggests kids are spending too much time in front of a television or computer.
"It seems to be displacing the time for active play…Our kids today, they could be the first generation to predecease their parents," said Dr. Joel Barnes, one of the researchers behind the study.
According to the report, 63 per cent of a child's free time is spent being inactive and almost half of kids get less than three hours of play a week
The study says part of the problem may be overprotective parents who don't let their kids play outside.
"They're worried about child predators, they're worried about traffic, neighbourhood dangers, lack of supervision, darkness….," said Dr. Barnes.
One mom said parents should put the worry aside and let kids be kids.
"If you do let them outside of course you have to be careful of what's around there but…anytime it's nice we're outside. If it's not nice we still get out there," said Julie Findley.
Another mom said being active should involve the whole family.
"It definitely reconnects you as a family when you play together," said Breanne Wallace.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Ellen Mauro
