Kids today are spending more time on screens and less time outside—and it’s taking a toll on their health.

Trish Tucker, a professor in Western University’s School of Occupational Therapy, is tackling this issue head-on. Through her research she is leading a movement to reshape how children engage with physical activity, demonstrating that small, simple changes can make a big difference.

Her work is driven by a stark reality: 61 per cent of Canadian children don’t get enough exercise, and this lack of activity starts as early as age three.  

“There's a lot of room for improvement in supporting kids to get more active,” says Trish. “Physical activity offers children lots of physiological and psychological health benefits. It improves their overall quality of life. It gives them stronger muscles and bones, healthier bodyweights, improved cardiorespiratory health. And we see better mental health outcomes when you’re an active child.”

As Director of Western’s Child Health and Physical Activity Lab, Trish and her colleagues are leading research that emphasizes the powerful influence adults have on shaping children's attitudes toward physical activity. Much of their work focuses on childcare centres, where more than two-thirds of children in Canada spend part of their day.

The environment in these childcare settings plays a critical role in encouraging children to be physically active. In fact, childcare centers influence activity levels even more so than factors such as gender or ethnicity.

“Role models are incredibly important. Parents, early childhood educators and teachers—the opportunities we provide, and our behaviour, influence children’s activity as well. As a parent myself, it's important for me to engage in physical activity with my kids as it shows them it's important, normal and fun.”

Trish explains how the guidelines from the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology recommend preschoolers should get at least three hours of physical activity per day, one hour at moderate-to-vigorous intensity, while engaging in no more than one hour of screen time per day.

“At the same time, as parents, a lot of us are bubble-wrapping our kids and not giving them the same freedom in the neighbourhood to go outside, get active and play with their friends. This has really hindered the opportunities kids have for active play.”

Trish highlights the rising popularity of organized sports among children but emphasizes a significant barrier: affordability. Sports like hockey or soccer offer excellent physical activity, yet the costs often put them out of reach for many families.

The good news is that keeping kids active can be simple and affordable.

“If we can encourage kids to put down their device and get outdoors, that's a good step. And if they’re playing with friends, they’re more likely to stay outside longer. It doesn't have to be complex. It doesn't have to be expensive, hard or programmed.”