Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Key to Better Health

CANCER CARE N.S./HEALTH PROMOTION--Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Key to Better Health

A two-day conference promoting the importance of healthy eating habits and regular physical activity among children and youth will give participants an opportunity to learn about programs that work and how they can better raise awareness in their own agencies and communities.

The conference -- Building Momentum: Strengthening community strategies for healthy eating and physical activity -- begins today, Nov. 6, at White Point Beach Lodge in Liverpool, Queens Co. It is hosted by the Nova Scotia Alliance for Healthy Eating and Physical Activity.

"We know that healthy eating and physical activity contribute to good health and lower the risk of chronic disease later in life," said Judy Purcell, co-chair of the alliance and prevention co-ordinator of Cancer Care Nova Scotia.

"By raising awareness about the importance of these health issues and providing an opportunity for community members to network and learn from each others' successes, we hope to engage more people in this effort and to see more community-based initiatives taking place," she said.

Presentation topics include:

• Contributing to a healthy community on an individual basis;
• Supporting healthy behaviours;
• Diversity and culture;
• Food security;
• Physical activity for the physically and mentally challenged;
• Health and nutrition literacy;
• Media literacy and healthy food choices;
• Physically active children and youth;
• Active kids, healthy kids.

"In promoting physical activity and healthy eating among children and youth, we first need to recognize and address the barriers that make these choices difficult and sometimes impossible," said Cathy Chenhall, co-chair of the alliance and core program co-ordinator with the Office of Health Promotion.

"We need to create environments that support families in making healthy lifestyle choices -- things like putting policies in place that support healthy eating and physical activity in schools and safe, accessible and affordable recreation areas in communities."

The Nova Scotia Alliance for Healthy Eating and Physical Activity is an informal network of agencies and individuals with an interest in promoting healthy eating and physical activity for overall health and healthy body weight. Members bring diverse talents and perspectives together to jointly identify areas for action related to healthy eating and active living. Member organizations include: Cancer Care Nova Scotia, Office of Health Promotion, Department of Health, Canadian Cancer Society Nova Scotia Division, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Nova Scotia, Dietitians of Canada, Union of Nova Scotia Indians, Sport Nova Scotia, Diabetes Care Program, Family Studies Teachers Association and the Diabetes Association.