Government encourages healthy lifestyle

Alicia Boisson
For South Peace News

The growing rate of obesity in Canada is not only concerning dietitians but it has also started to concern federal and provincial governments. According to the Dietitians of Canada website in 2004, 5.5 million people in Canada 18 or older were obese and 8.6 million were overweight. These numbers have indicated that compared to 30 years ago the obesity rate in our nation has more than doubled. When you look at these numbers you have to wonder what has caused the drastic change in peoples health. Is it eating habits, activity choices or just, altogether, people’s lifestyles? In most cases you could say it is a combination of everything. In an era where spending much of a person’s free time is in front of the TV watching programs that everyone has come to love, or playing video games, a person’s physical activity has significantly dropped. A healthy lifestyle is something that is taught. Children today are exposed to video games, fast food, pop and other junk foods in abundant amounts. Grabbing the quickest thing to eat is a higher priority for people today than choosing the healthy foods to eat. In a sense a person can say that healthy lifestyles are very rarely emphasized, not because we don’t care but because we are all just too busy. In a study by the Dietitians of Canada called Perceptions of Children’s Weight and Reality, results showed that 27 per cent of children ages 7-13 are overweight and 13 per cent are obese. The report also found that 91 percent of parents believe their children have very good eating habits and 92 per cent of parents believe their children have excellent physical activity levels. However the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute found that more than 50 per cent of Canada’s children aren’t active enough for optimal growth. Interestingly enough, the federal government jumped off the “encourage healthy living” bandwagon and have decided to give parents a tax break on their children’s fitness. For every child 16 and under parents will be able to write off $500 per child, when they register them in supervised programs that encourage cardiovascular endurance, muscle strength and, muscle endurance. Healthy living is something that starts at home, and there are some easy tips that a person can do to make healthy choices the fast choice. For starters, cut vegetables into individual servings as soon as you purchase them so that grabbing veggies and dip to snack on isn’t a hard task. Next encourage children to spend less time playing video games, and take part in activities outside. Parents can limit time spent on video games and watching TV, as well, start by setting an example. Come up with fun activities for you and your kids to take part-in outside.

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