It used to be people feared contracting heart disease or cancer, but nowadays, obesity is the leading cause of preventable illness and death in North America. So, as it turns out, it is the daily french fries that should scare us.

According to the World Health Organization, obesity is now an "epidemic". In Canada, about 10-25 per cent of teens and about 20-50 per cent of adults have a weight problem, and Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Sheela Basrur, wants that to stop. "Healthy, active living combined with sensible eating habits improves quality of life for everyone," explained Dr. Basrur when she released her report entitled Healthy Weights, Healthy Lives in November 2004. "Healthy living also reduces the risk of preventable diseases, like diabetes."

The good news is that obesity is a solvable problem. Eating a healthy and balanced diet while incorporating smaller serving sizes into your life is the first place to start. Regular physical activity is also critical, even if it is just walking a few extra blocks a day or taking the stairs instead of an elevator. Health experts have recently increased the recommended amount of daily physical activity required. Instead of aiming for 30 minutes of activity a day, health experts are now recommending 60 minutes a day.

In addition to managing weight, regular exercise also improves overall health and can help prevent certain illnesses, like heart disease and osteoporosis.

Dr. Basrur says she is alarmed that almost one out of every two adults in Ontario is overweight. Obesity can lead to Type 2 diabetes, depression, certain types of cancers, and stroke. In her report, she calls on schools, families and individuals to become more conscious of their lifestyle choices.

And the government is helping out too. In 2004, it introduced two new programs to help get the people of the province to lead healthier lifestyles. ACTIVE2010, through the Ministry of Tourism and Recreation, was created to motivate Ontarians to get 55 per cent more active by 2010. One feature of ACTIVE2010 is the Communities In Action Fund to help local and non-for-profit organizations provide and enhance physical fitness opportunities around the province. The government also introduced Pause To Play to encourage young people to make physical activity and sport a regular part of their daily lives.

"We know healthy weights mean healthy lives, and we know that active children become healthy adults," explained Dr. Basrur.

Something has to be done. Premier McGuinty even made "healthy Ontarians in a healthier Ontario" one of his key priorities when he came into office in 2003.

Dr. Basrur has made some far-reaching recommendations. She wants to see food advertising for certain products currently aimed at children under 13 to be prohibited in Ontario they way it is in Quebec. She also wants to see the use of trans fats in processed foods phased out, and is calling on the food industry to decrease serving sizes, especially in snack foods.

More information on healthy living, obesity and weight management can be found at www.healthyontario.com.

March 2005

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