Tag: exercise

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Regular Exercise Can Help Prevent Depression: U Of T Study

Just 20 minutes of walking a day can help people improve their mental health.

That’s according to researcher George Mammen, at the University of Toronto (U of T).

He recently co-authored a study of more than 26 years’ worth of research reports.

He says the reports show that someone who is physically active is less likely to become depressed later in their life.

Most scientists agree that regular exercise is important for people’s physical health. It can help prevent diseases like stroke, heart disease and cancer.

And previous studies have shown that exercise can help to treat depression.

Health

Toronto Kids Need More Exercise

Ninety-nine percent of children living in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) don’t get enough exercise, according to a new study.

Researchers from the University of Toronto and Dalhousie University tracked the physical activity of 856 grade five and six students in the GTA for one week.

The students wore accelerometers – tiny devices that are similar to pedometers, but which measure all types of motion – for about 16 and a half hours a day.

The information recorded by the devices showed that, on average, boys got about 35 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day. Girls got about 24 minutes of activity per day.

Experts* recommend that children aged five to 17 should get 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity each day.

Health News

Terry Fox’s Marathon Of Hope Still Running

In 1980, Terry Fox started a Marathon of Hope.

His hope was to raise money for cancer research and eventually help to find a cure for the disease.

After losing a leg to bone cancer, Terry Fox wanted to help other people. To raise money, he began a fundraising run across Canada. His famous run-hop stride is well known to Canadians and people around the world.

Terry Fox ran more than 5,300 kilometres – half-way across Canada – when the cancer spread to his lungs. He died at the age of 22, in 1981.