Action Encourages Health Dividends

The Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission today announced $26,000 in funding for seven initiatives that help kids play more.

The preventative health care projects are intended to encourage regular physical activity by reducing physical and social barriers. The projects will be located in the western region of Nova Scotia.

"When it's time to play, kids should be able to play," said Jane Purves, Minister responsible for the Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission. "Communities and volunteers are taking on the responsibility of community well-being -- creating opportunities and 'welcoming' physical and social environments for physical activity and play."

The commission is collaborating with the Heart Health Partnership. The partnership works with communities and individuals in discovering and using effective ways to improve the heart health of Nova Scotians.

About 70 per cent of children in Nova Scotia are not active enough to receive meaningful health benefits from physical activity. Ms. Purves said the government was pleased to be working with the Heart Health partnership in tackling this situation.

In 1997, the Nova Scotia government committed to the federal- provincial goal of reducing the number of inactive Canadians by 10 per cent by 2003.

"Studies show that people who eat healthy and are active will use 50 per cent less health dollars in their lifetime," said Jane Farquharson, director of Heart Health Nova Scotia. "So, by impacting the physical activity levels of today's children, we can influence the health of tomorrow's adults."

The Western Region PACY (Physically Active Children and Youth) Committee challenged organizations in its area to propose initiatives that increase physical activity for children and youth between the ages of six and 18 years, with a priority on the 13 to 18 age group.

The Sport and Recreation Commission's funding is intended to involve Nova Scotians in decisions affecting health, and support the efforts of individuals, families and communities to lead healthy lives. Local schools, recreation departments, youth centred community organizations and community health boards are among community-based organizations collaborating on initiatives that include leadership development, increasing opportunities and access, and providing awareness sessions.

PACY partners in the western region are: Annapolis Valley regional school board, Heartwood, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia, Heart Health Coalition, Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission, public health services, Sharing Strengths, and the Southwest regional school board.

NOTE TO EDITORS: The following are the PACY Committee initiatives in the western region that received a total of $25,810 in funding today by Nova Scotia Sport and Recreation Commission:

1. Shelburne County Active Team (SCAT): $6,000 A coalition of local schools, recreation departments, youth-centred community organizations and the community health board was formed to develop resources to support programs and events that involve physical activity, and to promote/encourage physical activity among children/youth in Shelburne County.

2. Playground Activity Leaders - Coldbrook School: $2,350 Train students as playground leaders to support fair play and encourage a wide variety of safe, age-appropriate peaceful physical activities at recess, noon and after-school.

3.Sport For Kids - Digby Boys and Girls Club: $3,000 Purchase equipment and assist with access to community facilities to increase involvement of youth in sport opportunities, such as floor hockey, basketball, badminton and volleyball.

4. Fun P.A.C.K. (Physically Active Community and Kids) - New Ross Family Resource Centre: $5,000 To provide leadership training opportunities for students to assist in physical activity initiatives with younger children. To provide information sessions on issues that impact youth, and on the purchase of equipment to further develop physical activity programs.

5. The New Minas Youth Centre, Youth Sport Project: $3,000 To provide increased opportunity for physical sport and play for youth ages 11 to 18, and introduce healthy lifestyle components.

6. Community Youth Project - Chester and Area Family Resource Centre: $2,500 To develop a youth facility offering a wide variety of recreational and physical activity opportunities.

7. Healthy Youth, Healthy Environments - The Women's Place, Middleton: $3,960 To provide opportunities for young girls to experience physical activity, and increased environmental awareness.