YHP Canada
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Location
National
Timing
Phase I 2012 – 2016
Phase II 2016 - 2021
Phase III 2022 - 2024
The local context
The number of deaths in Canada related to non-communcable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes has seen a dramatic increase of 78% since 20001.
Many NCD risk behaviours such as tobacco use, substance use, unhealthy diets and lack of exercise are adopted in adolescence and endure through to later life2.
Our objectives
To encourage healthy living habits from an early age.
Our focus
Healthy diet, exercise, and emotional well-being of young people from kindergarten to grade 6.
Developing relationships with people and organizations involved in youth health issues.
Improving Canadian youth health education nationwide.
Creating and building awareness of independent youth-centered initiatives and policy proposals on injury prevention, mental health, growing healthy bodies, and the environment.
Our programme
At My Best®
At My Best® was co-founded by AstraZeneca Canada and Physical and Health Education (PHE) Canada in 2008. The program takes a three-pronged approach to health promotion combining physical activity, healthy eating, and emotional wellbeing.
The development of At My Best® involved elementary teachers, secondary teachers, physical education professors, family counsellors, vice principals, public health nurses, early childhood educators and health promoters; bringing expertise in physical education, health education, nutrition and children’s wellness.
The K-3 program (junior kindergarten to grade 3) uses an emotional ABC theme (Ability - Belonging - Caring) to encourage students to recognize their ability, be inclusive and involve others, and hold respect and consideration for themselves and others.
The program includes a culminating event called At My Best Play Day, designed to celebrate healthy living, as well as participation in the program. The day is dedicated to fun activities that may involve a whole school community.
The popularity of the At My Best K-3 led to the development of AMB 4-5-6 which uses an I-We-Us theme (Individual ability - Belonging to a team, class or group - Developing citizenship skills).
Visit the At My Best website.
Our achievements
At My Best® reaches more than 850,000 Canadian young people each year, through a curriculum that is focused on healthy eating, physical activity and emotional wellness.
It has been officially endorsed by the College of Family Physicians of Canada and has been implemented in over 4500 primary schools across the country.
Our partner
Physical and Health Education Canada (PHE Canada) has been Canada’s premier professional organization for physical and health educators for over 80 years.
PHE Canada has a vision to support schools in becoming Health Promoting Schools that include the provision of quality daily physical education and the fostering of healthy school communities.
PHE Canada provides this support through a range of programmes, resources and initiatives.
Further information
See information on a previous YHP Canada programme: