2010 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card underscores the urgency for a new
Ontario health and physical education curriculum

Ophea urges quick action in moving forward with new curriculum

TORONTO, April 27 /CNW/ - Ophea today is urging the government of Ontario to seek a quick resolution to the debate over the new Ontario health and physical education (H&PE) curriculum and move forward with its implementation in Ontario schools for fall 2010.

For the fourth year in a row, the 2010 Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth has awarded an F for physical activity levels, as only 12 per cent of Canadian children and youth and 14 per cent of Ontario's children and youth are meeting the guidelines set forth by Canada's Physical Activity Guides of 90 minutes per day.

"The H&PE Curriculum released by the Ontario Government in January 2010 demonstrated much needed leadership in addressing the growing health crisis among Ontario children and youth," says Chris Markham, Executive Director and C.E.O. of Ophea. "There is no doubt that Ontario's revised curriculum responds to many of the shortcomings cited in the 2010 Active Healthy Kids Canada Report Card and would improve the health and learning of 2.1 million Ontario children and youth and their families."

The revised H&PE Curriculum covers a broad range of topics including healthy eating, physical activity, substance use, mental health and sexual health. This curriculum is intended to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to live and promote a healthy active lifestyle now and in the future.

"The decision to withdraw the revised H&PE Curriculum based on only the content related to human development and sexual health has stalled one of the most significant advancements in health and education the province has ever seen," says Markham. "We are urging the Ontario government to facilitate a quick resolution that will move the H&PE Curriculum forward in Ontario's schools for fall 2010 while ensuring its integrity as a holistic, integrated policy that will benefit Ontario's children and youth."

Ophea is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting schools and communities through quality program supports, partnerships and advocacy and is led by the vision that all kids will value, participate in, and make a lifelong commitment to healthy active living. For more information please visit www.ophea.net

For further information: Melanie Slade, Ophea, Phone: [phone], Direct: [phone], Cell: [phone], Web: www.ophea.net