Unit 1.1 - Society, Physical Activity, & Sport
- Lesson 1.1: Intro to Kinesiology -
“What are the root causes of the twin problem of inactivity and obesity worldwide and in
Canada, and how can we address them?
Causes for the twin problems of inactivity and obesity include:
• Urbanization • Processed foods high in sugars and starches
• Motorized transport • Increased portion sizes
• Mechanization of labour • Sedentarism (TV watching, Internet, video
games)
Inactivity and obesity are primary determinants of lifestyle diseases such as:
• Coronary artery disease • Some cancers
• Ischemic strokes • Osteoporosis
• Type 2 diabetes • Kidney disease
• Chronic obstructive • Chronic liver disease
pulmonary disease (COPD) • Depression
Summary:
• Physical activity is essential
for a healthy mind and body.
• Sedentarism and poor diet
underlie the twin problems of
physical inactivity and obesity.
• Combatting these problems
will require:
- changes in lifestyle habits,
- support for school and community physical activity programs
- enlightened public health policies
, - Lesson 1.2: Overcoming Barriers to Physical Activity -
“What prevents people from being physically active and how can we as a society
overcome these obstacles?”
Environmental Barriers:
Built environments play a major role in levels of physical activity:
• Built environments are human-made settings for human activity.
• Consist of buildings, neighbourhoods, cities, infrastructure, and
parks or green space
• Sometimes discourage active transportation (walking, biking,
rollerblading)
• Sometimes encourage passive transportation via cars and public
transit
Socioeconomic Barriers:
Socioeconomic barriers are those associated with the social standing of an
individual or group, typically measured as a combination of income,
education, and occupation.
For example:
• One in five Canadian families cannot afford to enroll their children in
recreation programs.
• These families need subsidies for registration, equipment, and
transportation costs.
• Aboriginal families can be especially disadvantaged.
Cultural Barriers:
Multiculturalism is a celebration of diverseethnic, religious, and cultural
backgrounds. It was adopted as official government policy between the 1970s
to 1980s. By the early 21st century, newcomers from outside British and
French heritage composed the majority of the Canadian population.
New Canadians tend to face barriers to sport and physical activity despite
Canada’s policy of multiculturalism.
• Canadian Sport Policy aims to increase access to sport for new immigrants.
- Lesson 1.1: Intro to Kinesiology -
“What are the root causes of the twin problem of inactivity and obesity worldwide and in
Canada, and how can we address them?
Causes for the twin problems of inactivity and obesity include:
• Urbanization • Processed foods high in sugars and starches
• Motorized transport • Increased portion sizes
• Mechanization of labour • Sedentarism (TV watching, Internet, video
games)
Inactivity and obesity are primary determinants of lifestyle diseases such as:
• Coronary artery disease • Some cancers
• Ischemic strokes • Osteoporosis
• Type 2 diabetes • Kidney disease
• Chronic obstructive • Chronic liver disease
pulmonary disease (COPD) • Depression
Summary:
• Physical activity is essential
for a healthy mind and body.
• Sedentarism and poor diet
underlie the twin problems of
physical inactivity and obesity.
• Combatting these problems
will require:
- changes in lifestyle habits,
- support for school and community physical activity programs
- enlightened public health policies
, - Lesson 1.2: Overcoming Barriers to Physical Activity -
“What prevents people from being physically active and how can we as a society
overcome these obstacles?”
Environmental Barriers:
Built environments play a major role in levels of physical activity:
• Built environments are human-made settings for human activity.
• Consist of buildings, neighbourhoods, cities, infrastructure, and
parks or green space
• Sometimes discourage active transportation (walking, biking,
rollerblading)
• Sometimes encourage passive transportation via cars and public
transit
Socioeconomic Barriers:
Socioeconomic barriers are those associated with the social standing of an
individual or group, typically measured as a combination of income,
education, and occupation.
For example:
• One in five Canadian families cannot afford to enroll their children in
recreation programs.
• These families need subsidies for registration, equipment, and
transportation costs.
• Aboriginal families can be especially disadvantaged.
Cultural Barriers:
Multiculturalism is a celebration of diverseethnic, religious, and cultural
backgrounds. It was adopted as official government policy between the 1970s
to 1980s. By the early 21st century, newcomers from outside British and
French heritage composed the majority of the Canadian population.
New Canadians tend to face barriers to sport and physical activity despite
Canada’s policy of multiculturalism.
• Canadian Sport Policy aims to increase access to sport for new immigrants.
