No Time to Wait: The Health Kids Strategy - Ontario

With Bold Action, We CanCreate a Different FutureIs it realistic to assume that Ontario canundo in five years a problem that tookmore than 30 years to develop? The bar hasbeen set high. Aspirational targets demandambitious action. Meeting these targetswill require a long-term commitment andunprecedented social change.To succeed, we need a bold, but practicalstrategy that targets the factors that affectchild health. We also need collective action:the right initiatives championed by the rightpeople and organizations. To identify thoseinitiatives and champions:●●●●●●●●We engaged parents and youth andasked them what would help thempromote their children’s and their ownhealth and well-being (see Appendix 2).We engaged 19 thought leaders in thisfield – scientists, health care providers,academics and others with expertise inpublic health, education, obesity, andcomplexity theory – and asked for theirbest advice on the actions that will havethe greatest impact (see Appendix 2).We considered 93 written submissionsand met with over 30 stakeholder groups(see Appendix 2).We reviewed key evidence-based reportswritten on childhood obesity as well asother emergent strategies designed toimprove child health (see Appendix 3).What we heard convinced us that we are at atipping point. Parents told us that they arethe ones who have the greatest influence ontheir child’s health – including their weight.They see themselves as role models for theirOntario has a strong track record in creating socialchange. Smoking rates are down – as is drinkingand driving. Most Ontarians wear seatbelts. We areskilled at working together and using a combinationof approaches to encourage Ontarians to do thingsthat are good for their health.children. The young people we talked withalso said they want to be part of shapingtheir own health and helping their peers.These strong roles for parents and youthecho the findings of a national survey ofCanadians: 98 per cent said parents shouldplay a key role in addressing obesity and71 per cent said children themselves shouldbe involved. 18At the same time, parents and youthrecognize that there are other people andorganizations that influence child health –including child care providers, schools,health care providers, the food industry, themedia, non-governmental organizations,and municipal and provincial governments.According to Canadian parents, childhoodoverweight and obesity is a public issue thatsociety needs to help solve together. 19We need feasible solutions that engageeveryone, every day, everywhere in changingthe future, bringing kids’ weight back intobalance and improving their health. Boldpractical action now means we can avoidmore aggressive measures in the future.Health is about more than weight. In fact, a childwho is a little overweight and who is fit and activeis healthier than a child who is the “right” weightfor his or her age and height but is more sedentary.Focusing too much on weight is stigmatizing andwill not address many of the factors that contributeto unhealthy weights.18 Ipsos-Reid. (2011). Canadian Perceptions of, and Support for, Potential Measures to Prevent and Reduce Childhood Obesity. Survey conducted for thePublic Health Agency of Canada.19 Ibid.10