Getting kids engaged in healthy eating and physical activity now can help them stay healthy today and throughout their lives – reducing their risk of heart disease or stroke as an adult. More than ever before, children are at risk for obesity and its related health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes. It is estimated that 26% of children between the ages of 2 and 17 are overweight or obese. "Some research suggests that the current generation of children may be the first whose life expectancy might be lower than their parents due to obesity and its effects," says Stephen Samis, Director of Health Policy for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada. "That's why the Heart and Stroke Foundation is working in every province to provide more opportunities for kids to get physical activity and healthy food." By working closely with schools and the provincial and federal governments, the Heart and Stroke Foundation is working to change the lifestyle habits that are setting children up for obesity, high blood pressure or narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis), the number one cause of stroke and a major cause of heart attacks.
JUMPing across Canada
The Heart and Stroke Foundation is working in every province to help promote healthy living in kids with programs such as Jump Rope for Heart™ and Hoops for Heart™. Currently, children in 4,000 schools across the country get active with these programs. Go to www.jumpropeforheart.ca and www.hoopsforheart.ca for more information and games and activities, skipping lessons and downloadable colouring pages.
Changing the state of the Canadian diet
The Foundation has helped to make Canadians aware of the high levels of unhealthy salt and fats such as saturated and trans fats, contained in processed, fast and snack foods. That's why it launched Health Check™, the Foundation's food information program. The Health Check symbol can be found on more than 1,000 foods, including grain products, vegetables and fruit, milk products, as well as meat and alternatives. The symbol on the package is your assurance that the product's nutrition information has been reviewed by the Foundation's dietitians to meet specific nutrient criteria based on the 2007 Canada's Food Guide.
The Foundation has also been instrumental in the fight to rid unhealthy trans fats from our food supply because they increase the risk of heart disease and stroke even more than saturated fats. Read about our participation in the Trans Fat Task Force, which made recommendations for nation-wide control of processed trans fats.
Making health elementary in Newfoundland and Labrador schools
In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Foundation is working to making schools a healthier place for elementary students by supporting an Active Schools Program spearheaded by Dr. Carmel Casey. To date, 54 elementary schools under the Central School District participate in the program.
Helping teens kick the habit in PEI
In 2004, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of PEI hosted a Quit and Win-Don't Start and Win Campaign – a smoking cessation competition. Of the 137, 900 Islanders, approximately 3,000 people aged 15+, including 10% of the island's teen smokers, entered the contest and agreed to stop smoking for the month of May. Overall, 70% of participants succeeded in their goal and 30% were still smoke-free three months later. Their major partners were Health Canada and the PEI Tobacco Reduction Alliance. PEI continues to encourage kids to breathe easy by discouraging smoking and encouraging physical activity.
