Challenging thinking,
policy and practice to
change our children’s lives
Rayoni Nelson, Principal Program Officer, Physical Activity, Sport and
Healthy Communities
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Holly Nelson
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Our lifestyles are increasingly
more sedentary
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This is affecting children’s health
and wellbeing
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It affects children now and into
their future
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Many factors influence children being
active
Fear of strangers
and crime
Perception of traffic
and pedestrian
safety
Societal
Neighbourhood
walkability
Traffic and
pedestrian safety
Community
Presence of street
vegetation
Social norms about
children’s
independent travel
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Access and proximity
to recreational
facilities
Access to
equipment
Organisational
/ clubs
Provision of
appropriate sport
and recreation
facilities
Over-reliance on
cars and limited
access to public
transport
Time
Increased screen
use time
Lack of ability or
enjoyment
Children and families
Access to
TVs/computers
Parental involvement
and transport support
Inadequate sport and
recreation facilities
Cost
Parental restrictions
on children’s activity
Example: Parental fear
www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/parentalfear
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Everywhere we go, everything we do is
affecting children’s opportunities to be active
 Reliance on
cars
Community they live in
Sports or games they play
 Sedentary
behaviour
 Active or
outdoor
play
School they learn at
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
Participation
in sport
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Their home environment
How to integrate physical
activity into children’s daily lives
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Community where children live
influences their physical activity
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Opportunities for Action: Community
Consider greater access to spaces and places for play
Activate local streets and community spaces
Seek children’s views in the design and development of
play grounds and play spaces
Create more ways to use public spaces and places for
outdoor activities
Consider ways to shift travel choices away from cars
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Creating an active lifestyle for
children…
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What can you do in your role to
get more children….
active for life?
Rayoni Nelson, Principal Program Officer, Physical Activity, Sport and Healthy
Communities
Ph: 9667 1392, email: [email protected]
www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/activeforlife
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