National Dialogue on Childhood Obesity Launched

Maureen MacDonald, Minister of Health and Wellness, along with her federal, provincial and territorial colleagues, today, March 7 launched Our Health Our Future: A National Dialogue on Healthy Weights.

The dialogue is a key step in identifying actions to curb childhood obesity and promote healthy weights in Canada.

Through Our Health Our Future, governments will engage Canada's youth, parents and caregivers in a national conversation. The conversation will address factors that lead to obesity and generate ideas about how to promote healthy weights in children and youth.

The outcomes of the dialogue will contribute to a report and recommendations for the meeting of national Health Ministers in November.

"We all have a role to play in promoting healthy weights among our children," said Ms. MacDonald. "The province of Nova Scotia is committed to taking action on childhood obesity. Our Health Our Future is key step in the development of the national strategy to address this important issue."

Our Health Our Future includes a website with opportunities to share ideas online, in-person dialogues in locations across the country, and a national summit.

Discussion areas include:

• making social and physical environments more supportive of physical activity and healthy eating
• identifying and addressing obesity risks earlier in children
• improved access to nutritious foods and less marketing of foods and beverages high in fat, sugar or sodium

"I'm very excited to roll out this national dialogue with my colleagues," said Leona Aglukkaq, federal Minister of Health. "This a groundbreaking event, bringing together for the first time in Canada a broad and diverse group of people to identify actions to this issue. Everyone has a role to play in helping children and youth live a healthy life."

Canadians, especially youth, are encouraged to visit www.ourhealthourfuture.gc.ca to share their ideas for change and to commit to their own action on healthy weights.