No Time to Wait: The Health Kids Strategy - Ontario

How can Ontario create a present anda future where our children lead trulyhealthy, fulfilling lives? Where they...●● have the best start in life●● are loved and valued●● are surrounded by supportive families and friends●● feel good about themselves, and know how to cope withstresses and challenges in life●● feel safe and part of their communities●● know about healthy eating, have easy access to healthyfoods, and make healthy food choices●● have time every day to play and be active●● get enough sleep●● have the health services they need●● are prepared for a future full of opportunities.Ontario should focus onthree areas that will make asignificant difference in ourchildren’s weight and health:1. Start all kids on the pathto healthGood health begins even before babies areconceived. Healthy mothers have a muchbetter chance of having babies who enjoygood health throughout their lives. We mustprovide the support young women need tomaintain their own health and start theirbabies on the path to health.2. Change the food environmentParents know about the importance of goodnutrition. They are aware that their kidsshould be eating lots of fresh fruits andvegetables, less sugar and fewer high-caloriesnacks or processed foods. Parents told usthey try to provide healthy food at home, butoften feel undermined by the environmentaround them. They want changes that willmake healthy choices easier.Why focus on food?To have the greatest impact on weight, wemust focus on healthy eating. On average, weare all consuming too many calories – aboutthe equivalent of one extra meal – every day.It’s almost impossible to be active enoughto burn off that many extra calories. Havingsaid that, being physically active is also animportant part of being a healthy kid.3. Create healthy communitiesChildren’s health does not begin and endwith what they eat. Kids live, play and learnin their communities. Many policies andprograms affect kids’ ability to eat welland to be active. Communities must worktogether to improve child health. We needa comprehensive all-of-society approachto create healthy communities and reduceor eliminate the broader social and healthdisparities that affect child health.24