The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday June 13, 2007 - 11 Active environment leads to active kids 52 YEARS AGO of you needs daily help? Full-time care for one shouldn't have to overwhelm both. Here you could live on your terms, in the comfort of knowing that subtle support or round-the-clock care is close at hand. WE PROMISED TO TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER. You swore you'd be together forever. And that's how you've lived. But what if one Continued from page 10 has published extensively in the area of childhood obesity and is chair of Active Healthy Kids Canada. "This issue is certainly one that's a challenge, and the obvious solutions aren't working," Tremblay said. One quarter of children in Canada are either overweight or obese, Tremblay said. "The vast majority of our kids are not active enough," he noted, adding it's largely because of the world we live in; children have enough electronic toys to keep them busy without needing to play outside. "Kids choose to be sedentary because of the environment we create for them," he said, not mincing words. "Kids experience nature and science through virtual reality." Children are developing childhood onset diabetes at an alarming rate, he continued, one of the many consequences of obesity. Tremblay said the notion of organized sports isn't the "The vast majority of our kids are not active enough. Kids choose to be sedentary because of the environment we create for them." Dr. Mark Tremblay answer because kids then believe they need to be driven somewhere to be active. The answer, he said, is "simple, spontaneous activity." During a discussion that took place after Tremblay's talk, an audience member said she'd like to see some statistics on mental health and its connection to health and wellness. Another person said concerns for personal safety often limit kids' physical activity -- for example, parents now need to accompany their children to the park, unlike a few decades ago. Another women commented his talk had opened her eyes to the various ways she justifies using her car instead of walking. Interestingly, Tremblay provided statistics that indicate we're eating less, not more. The fact Canadians are still getting heavier and heavier despite that shows just how inactive we've become, he said. Tremblay stressed it's not the weight itself that's the problem; someone "fat and fit" is healthier than someone who's "lean and unfit", he said. But being overweight is normally an indicator of unhealthy behaviours. More of an emphasis needs to be placed on preventing obesity, not just trying to fix it after it has become a problem, he said. Choices4Health, Halton's Healthy Living Network, will review the results of the event and determine the next steps. These results will be available to attendees and the public in July. -- Stephanie Hounsell can be reached at sthiessen@miltoncanadianchampion.com. Which is right where you want to be, with your one and only. Assisted Living lifestyles, individual support all on site. That's life at Sunrise of Oakville. C E L E B R AT I N G O U R S U N R I S E FA M I LY Event: Seniors Month Fun Day - An afternoon filled with laughter, fun and yummy BBQ! Enjoy bocci, horse races, mini golf, and take a spin on the Crown and Anchor for Sunrise bucks! Saturday, June 23, 12:00-3:00 pm To Laura or Tanya at 905-337-1145 Date: RSVP: Sunrise of Oakville 905-337-1145 456 Trafalgar Road Assisted Living, Alzheimer Care www.sunriseseniorliving.ca A N U N S U R PA S S E D A LT E R N AT I V E F O R S E N I O R S www.oakvillebeaver.com www.dealsonmealsauction.com Incredible value at local restaurants... available NOW! Opportunity ends June 17th GREAT DEALS on your favourite restaurants VISIT www.dealsonmealsauction.com Bid for