'National Dialogue' to Tackle Childhood Obesity

Summary of Article:

The federal and provincial health ministers launched a new strategy Monday to curb the rising rates of obesity in children.  This initiative is billed as a "national dialogue" and it seeks to identify ways to promote healthier lifestyles for children.  Federal Health Minister Leona Agulukkaq announced the "Our Health Our Future" project in Toronto.  A new website will serve as an online forum and a report with recommendations that will be presented at a national summit this fall where federal, provincial, and territorial health ministers will decide on future actions.  "We have an alarming trend among our children in the last decade,", Aglukkaq said.  "Too many of them are overweight, too many of them are obese...this has to be reversed". "We need to get to the roots of what causes people to become overweight or obese and then kickstart a program, a long-term movement to change it, " Aglukkaq said.  This project will involve identifying the conditions that contribute to unhealthy weights such as how communities are designed, the availability of foods, the influence of advertising, and how much time youth spend in front of television and computer screens, according to the minister.  The number of children who are overweight or obese has been rising steadily in Canada.  In fact, more than one in four children and youth in Canada are considered overweight or obese and increases in the rates are highest among teenagers.

My Opinion of Article:

This is an extremely important article and I'm extremely happy that health ministers and people such as Aglukkaq are doing something about this issue to raise awarness.  Everyone is aware about obesity and being overweight but I do not think people realize the increasing numbers and the increase in percentage.  As said in the article, one in four children and youth in Canada are considered overweight or obese.  This is 25 percent of all children and youth in Canada!  Obviously we have to do something about this issue and start identifiying the problems fast.  Also mentioned in the article is how much time youth spend in front of television and computer screens.  I believe this is one of the biggest factors when it comes to obesity and people being overweight.  Television and computer screens are entertainment and are good to a certain extent.  Many people, including myself do not spend as much time outside or exercising as much as they should.  This is also very bad because when you watch television or play on the computer, you are more likely to have a snack while doing so.  So not only are you not getting exercise, but also digesting unhealthy foods.  This is not an issue that can be solved in a year, but can be solved if the effort is put in by everybody.  This will always be a challenge as new technology is always being developed causing society to get lazier, but I do however feel we can bring the percentage of obese and overweight people down.