Ontario launches The Healthy Kids Community Challenge

Influencing Change - the Healthy Kids Community Challenge is on!

Ontario is challenging communities to work together to help give kids and youth a healthier start in life. We know that healthy eating and physical activity help kids grow up to be healthy adults. That’s why Ontario is launching  The Healthy Kids Community Challenge.

How can your community take part?

Communities can now submit applications to the Ontario government for funds and other supports to implement local initiatives that increase activity levels, improve healthy food choices and promote appropriate amounts of sleep for children and youth.

The Challenge is encouraging communities to build partnerships with local organizations across all sectors – schools, public, private and non-profit – to promote healthy weights for kids.

The need for action is clear. About 30% of Ontario children and youth are considered overweight or obese. Childhood obesity impacts health in childhood and beyond with 75% of obese children growing up to become obese adults. Adult obesity is associated with increased risk of chronic diseases and conditions, and these conditions are estimate to cost Ontario $4.5 billion per year.

Through an application process, up to 30 communities will be chosen to take part in The Challenge. Selected communities will be eligible for up to $1.5 million over four years in funding to develop and build on community based programs promoting healthy living.

What kind of activities does the community challenge include?

Activities can include after-school cooking clubs with dietitians, healthy breakfast clubs for children living in poverty and walking school bus initiatives. Municipal partners could include schools, recreation centers, parents, private businesses, health care providers and other community organizations servicing children and youth.

I encourage you to get your community involved and to spread the word about The Challenge. More information on the program and how you can get involved can be found at Ontario.ca/healthykids.

[highlight]What are you waiting for?[/highlight]

 

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Note: The Health of Canada's Young People: a mental health focus

Key issues of concern

1. Approximately one in four boys is either overweight or obese and approximately one in six girls is either overweight or obese as determined from self-reported heights and weights.


2. Only two-thirds of young people with a healthy weight feel that their body is about the right size.


3. Overweight and obese young people, particularly young girls, are more likely to have mental health problems than young people with a healthy weight.

Key issues to celebrate

1. The prevalence of obesity did not increase between the 2006 and 2010  HBSC  Studies, suggesting that the increase in obesity observed over the past three decades may be peaking.


2. A significant proportion of overweight (24%) and obese (30%) youth report that they are doing something to lose weight. [/box]