October 23, 2006 – The Government of Quebec and the Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation (FLAC)1 announced the establishment of a large-scale action plan promoting the adoption of healthy lifestyles in order to tackle the obesity epidemic.
The goal of this long-term plan2 aims to improve the quality of life of Quebecers by facilitating, through various means, the adoption and maintenance of a more active lifestyle and a healthier diet. Among the objectives it embraces, the action plan foresees, by 2012, a reduction of 2% in the rate of obesity and 5% in the rate of overweight, both in adults and in children.
To achieve this, the government and FLAC will invest, from 2007-2008, at least $ 20 million per year each for ten years. Including the 56 million annual dollars that the State already devotes to various measures affecting eating habits and physical activity, 960 million will have been invested in prevention and health promotion at the end of this ambitious program.
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“This is a historic and unique gesture in Canada: our plan is a sustainability tool that will have a concrete impact on the health system. “ Philippe Couillard, Minister of Health and Social Services of Quebec |
This initiative was announced as part of the tenth anniversary of Public Health Days. It follows the report tabled a year ago by the Task Force to mobilize prevention efforts.3 chaired by the mayor of Sherbrooke, Jean Perrault. Calling childhood obesity a public health crisis, she urged the government to adopt a plan to fight obesity and a sedentary lifestyle among young people.
Many stakeholders are involved in this new action plan, including seven departments and three government agencies, the agri-food industry, the education community, as well as municipalities, community organizations and associations.
In all, the plan provides for 70 measures grouped according to the five main themes of healthy eating, physical activity, the promotion of social norms favorable to the diversity of heights and weights, the improvement of services to people with a problem. weight, as well as research and knowledge transfer.
As it focuses on prevention, the action plan mainly targets 0 to 25 year olds and their families. Parents are thus part of the government’s strategy. “Just because we’re launching a plan doesn’t mean parents can continue to let their kids watch TV and play video games. On the contrary, they are called upon first and foremost, ”insisted the Minister of Health and Social Services, Philippe Couillard.
The prevalence of obesity and overweight increased by 50% in Quebec, from 1987 to 1998, underlined the Minister, “so that in 2004, nearly a quarter of the population aged 18 and over is obese, and more than a third is overweight ”.
Martin LaSalle – PasseportSanté.net
1. PasseportSanté.net is a subsidiary of the Lucie and André Chagnon Foundation.
2. The “Government action plan to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent weight-related problems 2006-2012 – Investing for the future”, is available at http: //publications.msss.gouv.qc. that [consulté le 23 octobre 2006].
3. For more details, read our new Childhood Obesity: A Public Health Crisis!
