Childhood obesity rates have almost tripled in the last 25 years.
To combat that trend and engage Canadians to find a solution, governments across Canada have launched Our Health Our Future, a national dialogue that will make recommendations for action.
All British Columbians – especially youth, parents and caregivers – are encouraged to contribute to the conversation. There are various opportunities to get involved and share your ideas on reducing childhood obesity.
- Visit the website at: www.ourhealthourfuture.gc.ca While there, you can post ideas, vote on your favourite suggestions, and commit to taking action in your own life. You can also access the website or post your own suggestions via Facebook.
- Attend an in-person dialogue to voice your thoughts. Dialogues will be held across the country. In British Columbia, dates and locations are being finalized. For more details and up-to-date information, visit: www.OurHealthOurFuture.gc.ca
Our Health Our Future is a key step in implementing Curbing Childhood Obesity: A Federal, Provincial and Territorial Framework for Action on Healthy Weights. The framework was adopted by the federal, provincial and territorial ministers of health in September 2010 and is part of a broader approach to healthy living, which includes federal, provincial and territorial work to reduce sodium consumption.
The childhood obesity framework is the first initiative to be implemented under the national Declaration on Prevention and Promotion, endorsed by ministers in September 2010. British Columbia played a key role in championing and supporting the national declaration. B.C.’s provincial health officer, Dr. Perry Kendall, is the co-lead in developing this strategy, along with his federal Health Canada counterpart, Dr. Paul Gully.
Through the framework, ministers responsible for health, as well as their colleagues in sport, physical activity and recreation, have agreed to make childhood obesity a collective priority and to champion this issue, to help create the conditions for healthy weights so that children have the healthiest possible start in life.
As a result of the website feedback and in-person dialogues, a report and recommendations for action will be put together, to be presented to the meeting of federal, provincial and territorial health ministers in November 2011.