By Dr. David Butler-Jones MD, Chief Public Health Officer of Canada
With the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver just a matter of weeks away, many of us are already planning our television-viewing schedules to ensure we don’t miss any of our favourite events or athletes. Yet, while our athletes are striving to reach gold, the majority of Canadians are not active enough for good health. With obesity rates at an all-time high, the importance of daily physical activity and healthy eating cannot be stressed enough.
Right now, just over 25 per cent of Canadian adults are obese. That’s more than eight million people at high risk for chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke, and certain forms of cancer.
The associated costs to quality of life and to health-care systems are disturbing so it’s no wonder governments and health agencies are searching for ways to support Canadians in their efforts to eat well and be more physically active.
Incorporating daily physical activity doesn’t have to be hard or expensive. Even though our jobs and other daily activities seem to have become more sedentary, a few simple changes such as taking the stairs at work or getting off the bus a little sooner and walking the last few blocks, can make a big difference.
Making informed food choices is also easier than you think. Comparing the information found on food labels is a way to play an active role in making healthy and informed choices. Limit foods and beverages high in calories, sugar, salt (sodium) and fat.
For information and ideas on how to build physical activity into your daily life, Canada’s Physical Activity Guides developed by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) and the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, are an excellent resource. For practical information on healthy eating and meal planning tips for you and your family refer to Health Canada’s Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide.
Regular physical activity and healthy eating are integral to a healthy lifestyle, and the 2010 Winter Games are a real opportunity to promote healthy living among Canadians. It’s hard for anyone not to be inspired by the achievements of our Olympic and Paralympic athletes, and that’s especially true for children. The 2010 Winter Games can be a powerful inspiration to encourage kids to be active everyday.
I invite you to take the time to visit PHAC’s 2010 Winter Games website (www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/games-jeux-2010) built around a “Let’s all go for healthy living gold in 2010” theme. On the site, you will find Canada’s Physical Activity Guides, Canada’s Food Guide, podcasts and tips on healthy eating and active living at work, home and play.
You don’t have to be an elite athlete to benefit from healthy eating and regular physical activity. Commit to reach your own personal best – get into the spirit and excitement of the games, and make a lasting commitment to healthy living for you and your family!
Dr. David Butler-Jones is Canada's first Chief Public Health Officer and is head of the Public Health Agency of Canada.
