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

Alcohol significant risk factor for chronic disease: MOH by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff 11 | Thursday, March 3, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com · 5 oz (142 mL) of 12 per cent alcohol wine; · 1.5 pz (43 mL) of distilled spirits. While the effects of binge drinking are widely recognized by the general public today, Halton's Medical Officer of Health (MOH) says the long-term affects of alcohol use are less understood by society. "There's now enough evidence that the use of alcohol at high levels, over time, increases the risk for a variety of illnesses, including cancers, heart and liver disease, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder in children and alcohol dependence," Dr. Hamidah Meghani told Halton Regional council's health and social services committee Tuesday (March 1). "Most people are less aware of these risks when consuming alcohol." Meghani delivered a presentation detailing Halton Region Health Department's efforts and challenges to help local residents reduce alcohol use. National alcohol strategy The report touched on the national alcohol strategy established in 2007 to reduce alcoholrelated harm among Canadians and the LowRisk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines that were created to help inform Canadians aged 25-64 about moderate alcohol consumption. In Canada, approximately 78 per cent of the general population uses alcohol," A culture of moderation It promotes a culture of moderation by listing daily and weekly limits for men and women, special occasion limits and situations where zero alcohol is the limit, such as driving, taking medication and making important decisions, according to a related Halton Region report. Daily limits for men include no more than three drinks a day and no more than 15 drinks a week, whereas women should drink no more than two drinks a day and no more than 10 drinks a week. Different limits for women and men "There are different limits for men and women because women's bodies process alcohol somewhat differently than men," explained Meghani. "Alcohol stays in our system longer, leading to higher risk of disease." She added there is no safe limit of alcohol consumption for women who are planning to have a baby, are pregnant or breastfeeding. Despite the guidelines, which were released in 2011, data compiled by the Canadian Community Health Survey in 2013/14 reveals 46 per cent of Halton adults, 19 years old and older, admitted to exceeding the recommended moderate alcohol consumption levels. Of that group, 78 per cent of adults aged 1924 reported they didn't follow the guideline limits. A Best Practice Review was completed by the Health Department in 2012 recommending a number of ways people can comply with the Low-Risk Alcohol Drinking Guidelines. Meghani noted the report recommends restrictions on the availability, pricing and marketing of alcohol as a way to lower risky levels of alcohol consumption. MOH critical of Ontario government She criticized the Ontario government for expanding "the availability of alcohol by increasing budget demands on LCBO sales, licensing the sales of VQA wines at farmers' markets, permitting the sale of beer in grocery stores, expanding wine sales in grocery stores and permitting the sale of hard cider in grocery stores. "This makes it more difficult for public health to meet its obligations," said Meghani. As the Health Department continues to monitor Halton residents' drinking habits in relation to the guidelines as part of its role in helping reduce risky levels of alcohol consumption, it's advocating the Ontario government for tighter controls on the see Safe on p.15 Dr. Hamidah Meghani Meghani said. "While the majority of people consume alcohol responsibly, excessive alcohol use remains an important public health issue," she said. The guidelines define a standardized drink as: · 12 oz (341 mL) of five per cent alcohol beer or cooler; Jet Peel - Facial of the Future Natural, Effective, Gentle & Painless OAkvIllE's AWARd WINNING BREAkfAst & luNcH dEstINAtION 146 Lakeshore Rd. W. 905.338.6333 Monday to Sunday : 7am to 3pm southoakville@benandflorentine.com · Removes Sun Damages & Pigmentations · Reduces Wrinkles & Rejuvenates · Deep Cleanses & Exfoliates 361 Cornwall Rd., Oakville OAKVILLE WE ARE HIRING www.beautyinstituteandspa.com 289.291.0168 Earlybird Spring dEal! Must bring this voucher with you at time of redemption. Not valid with any other offer. One time use only. Offer Expires Hair Studio 1 BRING IN THIS AD TO RECEIVE March 26 2016. 30 %off ANY REGULARLY PRICED SERVICE Oakville Hair Studio 1 Hairstudio1mn 2368 Lakeshore Rd. W, Oakville (back entrance) To book an appointment please call 905-469-0344 www.hairstudio1.ca