Clinical practice: Tools and resources

Physicians play an important role in helping children and youth lead healthy lives. Watch our video to find out why this is so important then use our resources and tools to counsel about healthy active living in your practice.

Do

• Use the guide for physicians to learn strategies on how to implement the Canadian guidelines in your office including tips on what to do in the office, ideas for parents and solutions to common barriers.
• Calculate and plot BMI once a year using the World Health Organization (WHO) growth charts.
  • WHO Growth Charts Training Program: An evidence-based, self-learning package designed for primary care and public health practitioners.
• Write a prescription for healthy active kids and set specific goals with the children and adolescents you see in your practice and give ideas for things to do.
• Display our series of posters promoting physical activity for every age in your health care or community setting:
  • For babies
  • For preschoolers
  • For school-aged children
  • For adolescents

Ask

• How much time does the family spend on sedentary activities and physical activity? Watch our video to find out why asking at every visit matters.
• What are the barriers to doing more physical activity? Watch our video for tips and practical suggestions on how to find solutions to the things that prevent them from being more active.
• Using motivational interviewing (MI), a patient-centered, goal-oriented evidence-based counseling method that combines supportive and empathetic counseling to help motivate patients. It can be useful in encouraging lifestyle changes.
  • About motivational interviewing
    • Miller WR, Rose GS. Toward a theory of motivational interviewing. Am Psychol. 2009; 64(6):527-37.
    • Motivational interviewing, Performing Preventive Services: A Bright Futures Handbook, American Academy of Pediatrics.

Share

• Canada’s Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour Guidelines from the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) with families.
  • Early Years 0-4 years: Lists examples of activities that parents can do with their infant, toddler, or preschooler. They are organized by age.
  • Children & Youth 5-17 years: Lists examples of activities that parents can do with their child or teenager. They are organized by age.
• Caring for Kids resources on healthy active living.
• Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide, Health Canada.
• Participation: Benefits & Guidelines 0-4
• Participation: Benefits & Guidelines 5-17