Atlantic Canadians Need More Veggies

Atlantic Canadians are not eating their fruit and vegetables, or at least enough of them, reinforcing the importance of the provincial government's efforts to promote healthy eating, especially among children and youth.

Data released today, July 6, by Statistics Canada indicates that in Atlantic Canada 79 per cent of children and adolescents and 67 per cent of adults eat fewer than the five daily servings of vegetables and fruits recommended by Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating.

That compares to 70 per cent of children and 50 per cent of adults across Canada.

"We are looking forward to reviewing these results to gain a better understanding of the habits and challenges faced by Nova Scotians when it comes to healthy eating," said Barry Barnet, Minister of Health Promotion and Protection.

Residents of Atlantic Canada also get a significantly larger percentage of their calories between meals, compared to the Canadian average. Snacks, defined as food and drink consumed between meals, accounts for more calories than breakfast and about the same number of calories as lunch.

The information is contained in the Canadian Community Health Survey. It was collected between January 2004 and January 2005 from a survey of 35,000 Canadians on their food and nutrient intake.

"We have a number of successful programs and initiatives in place to support healthy eating and are committed to supporting healthy eating for all Nova Scotians," said Mr. Barnet.

The Department of Health Promotion and Protection is working with a number of partners on various initiatives aimed at encouraging healthy eating and is taking the lead role in co-ordinating the implementation of the Healthy Eating Nova Scotia strategy.

The goals of the strategy include: increasing the number of women who start and continue breastfeeding; increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables; increasing the healthy food choices for children and youth; and increasing the availability and affordability of healthy food to all Nova Scotians.

Research shows that these priorities will have long-term implications on reducing overweight and obesity rates, improving nutritional status and reducing chronic disease.

Other initiatives include:

• Health Promoting Schools to support healthy eating and physical activity in schools with funding of $700,000 in the proposed 2006-07 budget
• enhanced and expanded breakfast programs at the elementary level with $750,000 in funding
• Public Health Nutritionists to implement priorities of the Healthy Eating Nova Scotia strategy with $630,000 in funding.
• breastfeeding promotion, protection and support with $70,000 in funding
• $45,000 for a sustainable food costing model.