Activating Canadians

Physical inactivity pervades British Columbia. Only 16.7% of British Columbians meet the recommended 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per week. Although this low rate of physical activity has numerous detrimental impacts on society, the impact that is of greatest concern to the provincial government is the cost that physical inactivity exacts on the health care system. Physical inactivity costs the government of British Columbia over a billion dollars annually. Although much of the fault and responsibility of physical inactivity lies at the feet of individuals, governments at all levels must create a social, cultural, and built environment that is conducive to physical activity. This capstone project evaluates three policies aimed at increasing the physical activity of British Columbians and recommends that the provincial government re-establish the Active Communities Grant Program and promote physical activity apps.