The Facts are in
- Youth obesity rates in Canada have tripled over the past 25 years.
- More than half of Canadian children and youth are not active enough for optimal growth and development.
- Recent changes in society, work and leisure have affected activity and eating patterns.
- Fewer children and youth are walking to and from school.
- Consuming larger portion sizes and the availability of a wide variety of inexpensive food has made it more challenging to maintain a healthy weight.
- Statistics Canada has found a direct correlation between the amount of time youth spent watching TV and video games and their likelihood of being obese.
- Statistics Canada has rated New Brunswick as having one of the highest obesity rates in the country (33.8 per cent).
- Statistics Canada ranked New Brunswick as the province with the highest rate of physical inactivity amongst adults 20+
- Only half of New Brunswick adults exercise regularly (three or more times a week).
- Parents who consider themselves to be substantially less active than other adults have less active children.
- Physical activity helps children and youth build healthy bones and muscles, develop skills, reduce stress, depression and anxiety, build confidence and facilitate social interaction.
- Statistics Canada figures show NB still has the highest smoking rate in the country at 22%. 12% of kids in NB are still regularly exposed to tobacco use.
- Unhealthy lifestyles increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, cancer, diabetes, depression, increased anxiety and early death.
