Grant: CIHR Café Scientifique Program

The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) will present an update for community health professionals and the general public on Canada's first-ever evidence-based Physical Activity, and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines for the Early Years (aged 0-4 years). There has been keen interest in guidelines for this age group for many years and now that the Guidelines have been published, questions are posed about what the recommendations are, how they impact the health of young children, and how parents and caregivers can implement the guidelins. We have four great presenters lined up - because physical activity and sedentary behaviour, although related, are separate and distinct scientific areas of focus and attendees will find out why! Dr. Mark Tremblay, Director of the HALO Research Group and chair of the Guidelines Research and Development Committee will provide a brief overview on how the Canadian evidence-based guidelines were developed using internationally recognized standards. Dr. Brian Timmons is the Research Director of the Child Health & Exercise Medicine Program at McMaster University and the scientific expert in Canada concerning physical activity for this age group. Dr. Ian Janssen is the CRC Research Chair in Physical Activity and Obesity at Queen's University and his research examines the role that physical inactivity and obesity play in the development of poor health in both child and adult populations. Allana LeBlanc (PhD candidate), Population Health, University of Ottawa will translate the guidelines to clear messages for health professionals, parents and caregivers. Children's health is of high importance to health professionals, parents and caregivers and a healthy lifestyle begins with healthy behaviours in the early years. The CSEP's new guidelines for the Early Years provide the guidance and evidence-based recommendations that health professionals, parents and caregivers have been seeking.