Huron and Perth Counties are launching a new community-wide initiative this week to encourage residents to make physical activity a part of their daily lives.
In motion is being launched April 14-18 during the annual elementary school Turn Off the Screens, Get “in motion” Challenge. But organizers say the initiative is for people of all ages. The goal is to encourage children and adults to be active for 30 minutes at least five days a week.
Recreation, health, education, workplace, and other community partners have been meeting for over a year to plan ways to get the two counties “in motion.” Co-chair of the group, Alycia Collins, says, “We’re excited about this new initiative. The link between good health and being physically active is strong. In Huron County only about half of residents aged 12 and over are active enough for health. More than half of adults are overweight or obese and heart disease is the number one cause of death.
“As well, over one quarter of children are overweight or obese. Residents of Huron County will start seeing in motion activities in their communities regularly.”
To kick off in motion, recreation centres will be offering a number of free programs for adults and children throughout the week. Huron County elementary school students will be participating in the ‘Turn Off the Screens, Get “in motion” program.
This week-long challenge encourages students to be physically active instead of spending time watching television, playing computer games or video games.
A list of events can be found at www.huroncounty.ca/health, or call your local recreation centre. Collins hopes to see individuals and families get “in motion” and encourages people to visit their local recreation centres.
The coordinating group purchased the rights to the in motion strategy, which was developed in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan in 1999. Since then, in motion has been successfully in increasing the physical activity levels of Saskatchewan residents, and has received international recognition.
Several other Ontario communities and regions are also “in motion.” The Huron-Perth group has been working with these communities to share ideas.
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