Nova Scotia Kicks-off SummerActive Campaign
SPORT/RECREATION COMMISSION--Nova Scotia Kicks-off SummerActive Campaign
Nova Scotians are urged to improve their health and well-being through active living, healthy eating and smoke-free living. Rodney MacDonald, Minister of the Sport and Recreation Commission and Health Minister Jamie Muir delivered that message in Halifax today, May 8, at the provincial kick-off of SummerActive 2002.
SummerActive is a six-week campaign under way in communities across Canada. It promotes healthy living by encouraging people to take a broader approach to health and well-being and to become more physically active.
"We want everybody to think about how active they are in the run of a day," said Mr. MacDonald. "Just 60 minutes of moderate physical activity each day can make a tremendous difference in overall health. It doesn't have to be a one-hour workout -- it can include walking, gardening, or, in the case of children, active play."
He pointed out the importance of developing healthy lifestyle habits in our children. Research shows that 33 per cent of boys and 27 per cent of girls in Canada are overweight. The numbers for Nova Scotia are about the same.
To round out the push for more activity, SummerActive 2002 adds healthy eating and tobacco-free lifestyle initiatives for an overall approach to healthy living.
"Whether you're young or old, you can improve and maintain your health by eating well and not smoking," said Mr. Muir. "For young people, the easiest way to quit smoking is not to start. For others, even if you've smoked for years, quitting will bring you many health benefits -- some starting the very first day."
He said the province's new smoke-free places legislation and its integrated tobacco strategy will help protect everyone -- especially children and youth -- from the dangers of second-hand tobacco smoke. It will also reduce the high rate of smoking in Nova Scotia.
By combining physical activity with eating a balanced diet and living smoke-free, individuals and families are making healthy choices. Research shows that these choices can help reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity, Type 2 diabetes and cancer. SummerActive emphasizes the health, economic and other benefits associated with these lifestyle choices.
The annual provincial SummerActive kick-off promotes and supports the hundreds of events being organized by leaders in schools and universities; sport, recreation, fitness and health organizations; municipal recreation departments; day cares; seniors' homes; corporations; and government offices throughout the province.
To find out what's happening in communities across Nova Scotia, or to register an event or activity for prizes, visit the SummerActive Web site, at www.summeractive.canoe.ca .
For more information Canada's Food Guide and Canada's Physical Activity Guidelines, or for information on quitting smoking, call toll free 1-888-334-9769, or visit Health Canada's Web site, at www.hc.ca .
SummerActive is a program of Health Canada and the provinces and territories. It runs from May 8 to June 21.