Table 4 Messaging recommendations for the new Canadian Physical activity Guidelines for Youth

These recommendations are relevant to all practitioners and organizations communicating the new Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for Youth. These recommendations should be used to create a clear understanding of the new Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines for Youth and to construct and to deliver messages that promote achievement of the guidelines.

Target Audience

Messages should separately target younger youth (12-14 yrs) and their parents and older youth (15-17 yrs) and their parents.

Clarification Messages

Clarification messages should: a) provide concise and clear descriptions of the guidelines and physical activity, b) define different levels of physical activity intensity (e.g., vigorous, vs. moderate), c) identify physical activity opportunities, d) include information about where to access more information about physical activity, e) indicate that science has evolved since the release of the old guidelines and that the new guidelines reflect latest evidence about physical activity, f) address the semantic differences between the old and new guidelines (e.g., up to 90 minutes vs. at least 60 minutes), and g) provide a wide variety of examples of physical activity – from active living to sport.

Motivational Messages

Motivational messages should emphasize a) parents’ pivotal role in encouraging and supporting their youth’s physical activity, b) a variety of benefits that physical activity offers including emotional, developmental, physical and academic benefits, c) that physical activity can be a collective-social movement that promotes community, active living and the environment, d) the importance of planning physical activity by parents and youth, e) strategies for overcoming barriers to physical activity, and f) empowering youth to choose how they will meet the guidelines.

Examples

    60 minutes every day! As a parent, you can help your teen get there.

    Move your teen to move more.

    Life looks better with physical activity.

    Pick a time. Pick a place. Move your teens to move more.

    Pick a time. Pick a place. How you want to get active is up to you!

    Plan ahead for roadblocks!

    Expand your horizons! How you want to get active is up to you!

Channels of Delivery

Messages should be disseminated to parents through websites, mass media campaigns featuring celebrities, magazines and news articles, and smart phone applications.

Messages should be disseminated to youth through websites, promotional materials within their school, public service announcements featuring celebrities, social media, smart phone applications, and community organizations and events.