The first Saturday in June is National Health and Fitness Day with a focus on improving our wellbeing by making physical activity part of our daily lives.
Living healthier can be as simple as going for a walk, riding a bike or gardening. Regular physical activity is important for healthy growth and development and can help prevent chronic diseases like cancer, heart disease and diabetes and improve our mental health.
Physical inactivity and stationary behaviour levels remain high among Canadians. Less than half of adults and fewer than 40% of children meet the current physical activity recommendations. The Government of Canada is working with community organizations to promote healthy living behaviours to help prevent chronic disease and other health problems, including those that occur later in life.
Let's celebrate National Health and Fitness Day by being physically active in any way we enjoy. Inside or outside, we can all do something that gets us moving, including doing yoga in our room, having a dance party in the kitchen, going for a walk, swimming, cycling, or playing ball with our friends. It's fun and feels great!
Local governments, non-governmental organizations, and all sectors are encouraged to mark National Health and Fitness Day with local events and initiatives celebrating and promoting the importance and use of local health, recreational, sports and fitness facilities.
Spread the word! Let's get everyone moving on National Health and Fitness Day to feel good and healthy.
#LetsMoveCanada
The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Health
Adam van Koeverden, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Sport
