News release

Help Plan a Healthier Province

Health and Wellness

There is still time for Nova Scotians to complete an online survey to suggest ways to make the province the easiest place in Canada to grow up healthy.

The survey is open until Oct. 15 at the Growing Up Healthy website at www.gov.ns.ca/growinguphealthy. The website also features a discussion framework and resource links.

"We all want to create a healthier future for our children and grandchildren," said Maureen MacDonald, Minister of Health and Wellness. "Thank you to the hundreds of individuals, groups and organizations who have shared their thoughts and ideas on how to make Nova Scotia a healthier place. I encourage others to get in on the project and complete the survey."

The project is part of the province's plan to make life better for families by supporting healthy eating and physical activity and preventing childhood obesity. This will also help to prevent and manage a range of chronic diseases.

In Nova Scotia, one in three youth age two to 17 are overweight or obese. Poor diet and inactivity are putting many more young people at risk for a lifetime of chronic disease and other health issues.

The province will make recommendations to prevent childhood obesity in the coming months, after receiving public input and guidance from partners and other interested parties.