Waist Reduction

Recent figures released by Statistics Canada found that 36 percent of Canadians are overweight and 23 percent are obese.  The proportion of obese children has nearly tripled over the past 25 years.  These figures are of concern because of the potential health impact of obesity and the associated health care costs.  A package of solutions is required to intervene effectively, including opportunities for recreation in schools and communities; access to affordable nutritious food; and appropriate community design that allows for safe walking and cycling.  The current crisis in municipal financing must also be redressed to enable appropriate community responses to the growing ‘globesity’ problem.