Cutting down on soda pop and video games can be a good first start, but there are a variety of reasons – from diet, to lack of exercise, to genetic factors – why childhood obesity is on the rise in Canada, and our government is determined to address the growing problem.
Over the last 25 years, the proportion of overweight and obese children has nearly tripled.
It’s an issue that affects children everywhere and is accompanied by health risks that range from high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes, to emotional impacts, such as depression and loss of self-esteem.
There is a long-term impact to taxpayers, as well. Children that remain overweight as teenagers are most likely to stay that way as adults, increasing the chances they will suffer from heart disease, stroke and some types of cancer and other serious medical conditions that strain our public health system.
The health and well-being of Canadian families are important to our government and we’ve taken action on several fronts to reverse rising childhood obesity rates in Canada.
We recently announced a national engagement strategy with Canada’s medical community, parents, teachers and youth to promote best practices to help young Canadians maintain healthy weights.
This will be the first national dialogue of its kind in Canada.
Never before have we brought together such diverse groups to work on the issue of childhood obesity.
Late last year, our Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq also announced funding for projects across the country that will examine ways to combat childhood obesity and keep our kids healthy and physically active.
In addition, our government has promoted physical activity and healthy eating through initiatives such as our Children’s Fitness Tax Credit, which lowers the cost for parents to enrol their children in organized sports, and the Eat Well and Be Active Tool Kit.
We have provided funding for ParticipACTION programs to promote youth fitness.
And the $500 million Recreational Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program has seen hockey rinks, ball diamonds, swimming pools and other recreational facilities constructed or renewed, all of which improves access to fitness opportunities for Canadians.
We are working in a number of ways to give children the healthiest possible start in life because, for Canada’s government, family comes first.
