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Content Map Terms
Healthy Eating & Physical Activity Categories
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Active for Health
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Age and Stage
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Infants, Children and Youth
- Child Who Is Overweight: Evaluating Nutrition and Activity Patterns
- Child Who Is Overweight: Medical Evaluation
- Eczema and Food Allergy in Babies and Young Children
- Food Allergy Testing
- HealthLink BC Eating and Activity Program for Kids
- Healthy Eating for Children
- Healthy Eating Guidelines for Your Vegetarian Baby: 6-12 months
- Healthy Eating Guidelines for Your Vegetarian Toddler: 1-3 years
- Helping Your Child Who Is Overweight
- Interactive Tool: What Is Your Child's BMI?
- Mealtime and Your Toddler
- Parenting Babies (0-12 months)
- Reducing Risk of Food Allergy in Your Baby
- Snack Ideas for Preschoolers
- Your Toddler: Nutritious Meals for Picky Eaters
- Physical Activity for Infants, Children and Youth
- Older Adults
- Living well during your pregnancy
- Menopause and Perimenopause
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Infants, Children and Youth
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Being Active
- Health Benefits of Physical Activity
- SMART Goal Setting
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Getting Started
- Getting Started: Adding More Physical Activity to Your Life
- Quick Tips: Fitting Physical Activity Into Your Day
- Quick Tips: Getting Active as a Family
- Fitness: Adding More Activity To Your Life
- Getting Started With Flexibility and Exercise
- Fitness Machines
- Fitness Clothing and Gear
- The Three Types of Physical Activity
- Overcoming Barriers: Adding More Physical Activity to your Life
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Choosing Your Activity
- How to Choose Safe Equipment
- Exercising While Sitting Down
- Fitness DVDs and Videos
- Tips for Picking the Right Activities
- Quick Tips: Getting in Shape Without Spending Money
- Fitness: Walking for Wellness
- Walk Your Way To Health
- Tai Chi and Qi Gong
- Water Exercise
- Yoga
- Bob's Story: Biking for Health
- Exercise and Physical Activity Ideas
- Fitness: Choosing Activities That Are Right for You
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Staying Active
- Fitness: Getting and Staying Active
- Fitness: Making It a Habit
- Quick Tips: Having Enough Energy to Stay Active
- Quick Tips: Staying Active at Home
- Quick Tips: Staying Active When You Travel
- Physical Activity in Winter
- Quick Tips: Staying Active in Cold Weather
- Quick Tips: Staying Active in Hot Weather
- Injury Prevention and Recovery
- Fitness and Exercise Learning Centre
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Conditions
- Diabetes and Hypoglycemia
- Eating Disorders
- Healthy Eating for Disease Prevention
- Eating Right When You Have More Than One Health Problem
- Being Active When You Have Health Problems
- Physical Activity and Disease Prevention
- Anemia
- Arthritis and Osteoporosis
- Physiotherapy for Low Back Pain
- Low Back Pain: Exercises to Reduce Pain
- Cancer
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Digestive
- Managing Constipation in Adults
- Healthy Eating Guidelines for People with Diverticular Disease
- Fibre and Your Health
- Lower Fibre Food Choices
- Eating Guidelines For Gallbladder Disease
- Healthy Eating Guidelines for Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Lactose Intolerance
- Healthy Eating Guidelines for People with Peptic Ulcers
- Bowel Disease: Changing Your Diet
- Celiac Disease: Eating a Gluten-Free Diet
- GERD: Controlling Heartburn by Changing Your Habits
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Controlling Symptoms with Diet
- Food Allergies
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Heart
- Cardiac Rehabilitation
- Coronary Artery Disease: Exercising for a Healthy Heart
- DASH Diet Sample Menu
- Healthy Eating Guidelines for People Taking Warfarin Anticoagulants
- Healthy Eating to Lower High Blood Pressure
- Healthy Diet Guidelines for a Healthy Heart
- Heart Arrhythmias and Exercise
- Heart Failure: Eating a Healthy Diet
- Heart Failure: Track Your Weight, Food and Sodium
- Heart-Healthy Eating
- Heart-Healthy Eating: Fish and Fish Oil
- Heart-Healthy Lifestyle
- High Blood Pressure: Nutrition Tips
- High Cholesterol: How a Dietitian Can Help
- Modify Recipes for a Heart-Healthy Diet
- Plant-based Diet Guidelines
- Peripheral Arterial Disease and Exercise
- Physical Activity Helps Prevent a Heart Attack and Stroke
- High Blood Pressure: Using the DASH Diet
- Healthy Eating: Eating Heart-Healthy Foods
- Heart Health: Walking for a Healthy Heart
- Izzy's Story: Living with the DASH Diet
- Exercise and Fibromyalgia
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Kidney and Liver
- Healthy Eating Guidelines for People with Early Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Stages 1 and 2
- Healthy Eating Guidelines for Prevention of Recurrent Kidney Stones
- Healthy Eating for Chronic Hepatitis
- Kidney Disease: Changing Your Diet
- Kidney Stones: Preventing Kidney Stones Through Diet
- Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH)
- Lupus: Healthy Eating
- Mutiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson's Disease and Exercise
- Sally's Story: Avoiding Metabolic Syndrome
- Spinal Cord
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Food and Nutrition
- About Healthy Eating
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Eating Habits
- Developing a Plan for Healthy Eating
- Drinking Enough Water
- Eating Journal
- Emotional Eating
- Food Journaling: How to Keep Track of What You Eat
- Healthy Eating: Changing Your Eating Habits
- Healthy Eating: Getting Support When Changing Your Eating Habits
- Healthy Eating: Making Healthy Choices When You Eat Out
- Healthy Eating: Making Healthy Choices When You Shop
- Healthy Eating: Overcoming Barriers to Change
- Healthy Eating: Starting a Plan for Change
- Healthy Eating: Staying With Your Plan
- Healthy Eating to Decrease Stress
- Jaci's Story: Changing her Life With Small Steps
- Jeremy's Story: Focusing on Eating Habits
- Loralie's Story: It's Never Too Late
- Maggie Morries: Plan Ahead When You Eat Out
- Plant-based Foods
- Sugary Drinks and Other Beverages
- Sodium
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Nutrients
- Added Sugars
- Antioxidants
- Antioxidants and Your Diet
- Carbohydrate Foods
- Carbohydrate, Proteins, Fats and Blood Sugar
- Choosing a Vitamin and Mineral Supplements
- Cholesterol and Triglycerides: Eating Fish and Fish Oil
- Comparing Sugar Substitute
- Dietary Fats and Your Health
- Dietary Guidelines for Good Health
- Dietary Reference Intake
- Eating Protein
- Calcium and Your Health
- Food Sources of Vitamin K
- Getting Enough Calcium and Vitamin D
- Getting Enough Fibre
- Getting Enough Folic Acid
- Getting Enough Iron
- Getting Enough Potassium
- Healthy Eating: Cutting Unhealthy Fats From Your Diet
- Healthy Eating: Taking Calcium and Vitamin D
- High Potassium Eating
- High Potassium Foods
- Iron and Your Health
- Iron in Foods
- Low-Potassium Foods
- Major Nutrients in Food
- Minerals: Their Functions and Sources
- Non-Milk Sources of Calcium
- Quick Nutrition Check for Protein
- Quick Nutrition Check for Protein: Sample Menus
- Quick Nutrition Check for Vitamin B12
- Types of Fats
- Vitamins: Their Functions and Sources
- Food Labels
- Plan, Shop and Prepare
- Food, Water and Beverage Safety
- Canada's Food Guide FAQs
- Food Security
- Vegetarian Diets
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Healthy Weights
- About Healthy Weights
- Genetic Influences on Weight
- Screening for Weight Problems
- Unplanned Weight Loss
- Quick Tips: Cutting Calories
- Physical Activity for Weight Loss
- Weight Loss by Limiting Calories
- Tips for Maintaining Weight Loss
- Choosing a Weight-Loss Program
- Boosting Your Metabolism
- Exercise Helps Maggie Stay at a Healthy Weight
- Healthy Eating: Recognizing Your Hunger Signals
- Hunger, Fullness, and Appetite Signals
- Weight Management
- Weight Management: Stop Negative Thoughts
- Maggie's Strategies for Eating Healthy
- Maggie: Making Room for Worth-It Foods
- Maggie's Story: Making Changes for Her Health
- Weight Management Centre
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Policies and Guidelines
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Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in BC Schools
- Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales: Making Bake Sales Delicious and Nutritious
- Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales: Boosting the Sales of Nutritious Food in Schools
- Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales: Food Fundraiser Ideas for Schools
- Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales: Involving Everyone in Implementing the Guidelines
- Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales: Selling Food and Beverages at School Sporting Events
- Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales: Planning Healthy Cafeteria Menus
- Healthier Choices in Vending Machines
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Guidelines for Food and Beverage Sales in BC Schools
- Provincial Nutrition Resource Inventory
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Forms and Tools
- Walking Log
- Exercise Planning Form
- Physical Activity Log
- Par-Q+ and ePARmed-X+
- Target Heart Rate
- Interactive Tool: What is Your Target Heart Rate
- Borg-Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale
- Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)
- Overview of BC Provincial and Federal Nutrition Benefits Programs
- Body Mass Index (BMI)
- Body Mass Index (BMI) for Adults
- Interactive Tool: Do Your BMI and Waist Size Increase Your Health Risks?
- Measuring Your Waist
- Body Fat Testing
- Fitness: Using a Pedometer, Step Counter, or Wearable Device
- Email a HealthLinkBC Dietitian
- Email a Qualified Exercise Professional
British Columbia Specific Information
Being physically active can benefit your physical and mental health in many ways. For example, it can strengthen your muscles and bones, lower your risk of chronic health conditions, and improve your mood and sleep. Physical activity can be safe for almost everyone. If you have concerns about your health or becoming more active, speak with your health care provider or a qualified exercise professional.
For information on the role of physical activity on overall health and taking steps to change your physical activity level, visit the general health and helping you make it happen sections of our website. If you would like guidance on physical activity or exercise, call our qualified exercise professionals by dialing 8-1-1 and asking to speak with Physical Activity Services between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM Pacific Time Monday to Friday. You can also leave a message outside of these hours and email a qualified exercise professional.
Learn about fitness and exercise
Physical activity is not just for jocks. It's for everyone. Being active can help you stay healthy, control your weight, and get the most out of life. No matter what your age or condition, there is a type of exercise that's right for you.
To learn more, browse our Fitness and Exercise topics, or start with these:
- Achilles Tendon Injury: Physiotherapy and Rehab
- Becoming More Active: Where to Start
- Being Active When You Have Health Problems
- Bob's Story: Biking for Health
- Boosting Your Metabolism
- Breastfeeding: Exercise and Weight Loss
- Bursitis
- Cardiac Rehabilitation
- Cardiac Rehabilitation: Exercise
- Cardiac Rehabilitation: Home Program
- Cardiac Rehabilitation: Hospital Program
- Cardiac Rehabilitation: Maintenance Program
- Cardiac Rehabilitation: Monitoring Your Body's Response to Exercise
- Cardiac Rehabilitation: Outpatient Program
- Cardiac Rehabilitation: Weight and Resistance Training
- Dehydration
- Diabetic Neuropathy: Exercising Safely
- Energy and Sports Drinks
- Enjoying Life When You Have Heart Failure
- Exercise and Fibromyalgia
- Exercise and Osteoarthritis
- Exercise and Physical Activity Ideas
- Exercise During Pregnancy
- Exercise for Rheumatoid Arthritis
- Exercise Helps Maggie Stay at a Healthy Weight
- Exercise Planning Form
- Exercises After Mastectomy
- Exercises for Arm and Wrist
- Exercises for Heel Pain or Tightness
- Exercising to Prevent a Stroke
- Exercising While Sitting Down
- Expert: Be Active to Help Your Back Heal
- Fit Physical Activity Into the Workplace
- Fitness Clothing and Gear
- Fitness Machines
- Fitness: Getting and Staying Active
- Fitness: Getting Around Barriers to Exercise
- Get Regular Exercise for Mental Health
- Getting Started With Flexibility and Stretching
- Healthy Aging
- Healthy Attitudes Toward Food and Exercise
- Healthy Habits for Kids
- Healthy Muscles
- Heart-Healthy Lifestyle
- Heat-Related Illnesses
- Helping Children With Disabilities Stay Active
- HIV and Exercise
- Interactive Tool: What Is Your Target Heart Rate?
- Jaw Problems: Exercise and Relaxation
- John's Story: Finding a Way to Exercise
- Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Stretching and Strengthening Exercises
- Keeping Change Going—Your New Normal
- Kris's Story: Getting Active With No Excuses
- Making a Change That Matters
- Multiple Sclerosis: Benefits of Exercise
- Muscle Cramps
- Neck Exercises
- Not Ready for Change?
- Nutrition and Physical Activity
- Overtraining
- Overuse Injuries
- Parkinson's Disease and Exercise
- Physical Activity as You Get Older
- Physical Activity for Children and Teens
- Physical Activity for Weight Loss
- Physical Activity Helps Prevent a Heart Attack and Stroke
- Physical Activity Log
- Physical Rehabilitation for ACL Injuries
- Physiotherapy
- Physiotherapy for Back Pain
- Physiotherapy for Knee Arthritis
- Physiotherapy for Spinal Stenosis
- Physiotherapy for Temporomandibular Disorders
- Planning to Be More Active When You Have Chronic Disease
- Plantar Fasciitis: Resuming Your Training
- Prediabetes: Exercise Tips
- Preventing Children's Injuries From Sports and Other Activities
- Preventing Falls: Exercises for Strength and Balance
- Preventing Foot Problems: Training Techniques
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation
- Prone Buttocks Squeeze
- Quick Tips: Exercising Safely With Arthritis
- Quick Tips: Fitting Physical Activity Into Your Day
- Quick Tips: Getting Active as a Family
- Quick Tips: Getting Active at Home
- Quick Tips: Getting in Shape Without Spending Money
- Quick Tips: Having Enough Energy to Stay Active
- Quick Tips: Staying Active in Cold Weather
- Quick Tips: Staying Active in Hot Weather
- Quick Tips: Staying Active When You Travel
- Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE)
- Returning to Play After a Head Injury During a Sporting Event
- Robert's Story: Getting and Staying Active
- Rotator Cuff Disorders
- Setting Goals
- Shellie's Story: Finding Time for Physical Activity
- Spinal Cord Injury: Flexibility Exercises
- Sports Hernia
- Sports-Related Dehydration
- Staying Active as a Family
- Support for Staying Active
- Tai Chi and Qi Gong
- Tennis Elbow: Stretches and Strengthening Exercises
- The Three Types of Physical Activity
- Thinking About a Change?
- Tips for Exercising Safely When You Have Diabetes
- Tips for Picking the Right Activities
- Using Tracking to Support Your Activity Goals
- Vertigo: Level 1 (Easy) Balance Exercises
- Vertigo: Level 2 (Harder) Balance Exercises
- Vertigo: Walking Exercises
- Water Exercise
- Ways to Track Your Weight-Loss Efforts
- Weight Management
- Weight-Bearing Exercises to Maintain Healthy Bones
- Yoga
- ACL Injury: Exercises to Do Before Treatment
- COPD: Using Exercise to Feel Better
- Coronary Artery Disease: Exercising for a Healthy Heart
- Fitness: Adding More Activity to Your Life
- Fitness: Choosing Activities That Are Right for You
- Fitness: Increasing Core Stability
- Fitness: Making It a Habit
- Fitness: Staying Active When You Have Young Children
- Fitness: Teaching Your Child to Stay Active
- Fitness: Using a Pedometer, Step Counter, or Wearable Device
- Fitness: Walking for Wellness
- Heart Arrhythmias and Exercise
- Heart Failure: Activity and Exercise
- Heart Health: Walking for a Healthy Heart
- Low Back Pain: Exercises to Reduce Pain
- Meniscus Tear: Rehabilitation Exercises
- Osteoarthritis: Exercising With Arthritis
- Patellar Tracking Disorder: Exercises
- Plantar Fasciitis: Exercises to Relieve Pain
- Rotator Cuff Problems: Exercises You Can Do at Home
- Sprained Ankle: Rehabilitation Exercises
- Stress Management: Practicing Yoga to Relax
Current as of: October 10, 2022
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Learn how we develop our content.
Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
Contact Physical Activity Services
If you have questions about physical activity or exercise, call 8-1-1 (or 7-1-1 for the deaf and hard of hearing) toll-free in B.C. Our qualified exercise professionals are available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm Pacific Time. You can also leave a message after hours.
Translation services are available in more than 130 languages.
HealthLinkBC’s qualified exercise professionals can also answer your questions by email.
Contact a Dietitian
If you have any questions about healthy eating, food, or nutrition, call 8-1-1 (or 7-1-1 for the deaf and hard of hearing) toll-free in B.C. You can speak to a health service navigator who can connect you with one of our registered dietitians, who are available 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. You can also leave a message after hours.
Translations services are available in more than 130 languages.
HealthLinkBC Dietitians can also answer your questions by email.