Growing Child Obesity in Canada is a Cause of Concern
The growing obesity problem among the Canadian children is a cause of concern for many. This increase in the obesity rate has been particularly observed in the eastern coast where every one child out of 3 children, is overweight.
According to a two day old report from the Canadian Institute of Health Information the four Atlantic Provinces have the highest rate of overweight and obese children aged 2 to 17, with Newfoundland and Labrador leading the nation at 36 per cent.
Dr. Paul Veugelers, an associate professor in public health at the University of Alberta in Edmonton , said, previous studies showed that over the past few decades there's been more than a 300 per cent increase in children's obesity rates. Obesity rates are commonly calculated using a BMI, body mass index, which is based on the calculations of height and weight of that particular person.
Now the good news is that if we get back to the body basics, it can do wonders for our body and if children are made habitual of such a routine, obesity can be checked effectively right in the beginning itself to stop it from growing further.
Not only children but even their elders should also incorporate some physical activity in their daily schedule along with healthy food, nutrition. Most importantly, junk food should be a strict 'NO.'
Source: thestar.com, February 18, 2006 |
