Taking New Steps To Fight Childhood Obesity

Nova Scotia is taking more action to fight childhood obesity.

Premier John Hamm announced today, March 5, $300,000 towards the Office of Health Promotion's Active Kids, Healthy Kids initiative. More investments in healthy and active lifestyles will also be announced within the next 60 days.

"Today's healthy children are tomorrow's healthier province. This money and this program is about giving parents, educators and community leaders the tools they need to ensure our children live longer, healthier lives," said the premier. "As a province and as a society, we must do more to make healthy living a priority, especially among our young people."

The funding was confirmed today at a luncheon for community organizers for Active Kids, Healthy Kids. The $2.4 million program, launched in 2002, is a three-year strategy to increase the number of children and youth who exercise regularly and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

"Healthy living does not require our kids to be great athletes, nor should it ever exclude families on the basis of income," said the premier. "All it requires is a sensible commitment to good diets and good physical activity, and a commitment from each of us -- including the government -- to making these choices as easy and accessible as possible."

In December 2002, Premier Hamm established the Office of Health Promotion, under the leadership of minister Rodney MacDonald, to improve the long-term health of Nova Scotians, through such measures as reducing the number of obese children. A recent report from the Canadian Population Health Initiative says that obesity rates have increased significantly among children over the last 20 years.