eya M>;Oe i\lo Obiesity factors ;very complex When are we going to get the message? Yet another report on Canadian obesity rates was released last week. To no one's surprise, the findings highlighted what we ail know: physical activrty and irnproved diet significantly reduce the incidence of obe- The comprehlensive report, a joint effort by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PI-AC), statles that Seliminating physical inactivity, which is defined as less that 15 minutes of low-impact activity a day could avert the equivalent of 646,000 cases of obesity in women and 405,000 cases in men. The report goes on to note that increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables we est - presumably in the place of high-fat, high-calorie choices - could decrease the cases of obesity in men by 265,000 and by 97,000 in women. In short, we need to eat better and move more - something we ail know Interestingly, however, the 52-page document (avail- able at www.cihi.ca), titled Obesity in Canada, breaks down the numbers across the count by various factors, including sex, age, geographic region and cultural and economnic background. In Halton, the prevalence of oible- sity sits at 16.3 per cent - riglit on target with the rest of the country which has shown a steady increase in meas-i ured obesity rate over the past three decades, from. about 14 per cent in 1978 to just more than 25 per cent in 2002. Other notable findings: - Based on measured heiglit and weight, more than one in four aduits in Canada, and just less than one in il children, are obese. e Between 1981 and 2009, obesity rates at least dou- bled across ail age groups, tripling for youths aged 12 to 17 years. * Obesity varies substantially by geographic area. Across Canadian health regions, there's a six-fold differ- ence in obesity rates. e Women in higher income brackets were significant- ly leas likely to be obese than their lower-income count- terparts, a trend most pronounced among Ahoriginal femnales. Obesity in Canada stresses that the causes of and con- tributors to obesity are complex and include not only mndividual lifestyle choices and genetic disposition, but also social determinants and other underlying; factors. It t also, notes that many of the physical and psycbological factors may begin in childhood. Further, it found that many Canadians get less than the daily, recommended amount of physical activity for their age group, notably, that 88 per cent of children and youth aged 5 to 19 yearsi didn't meet the guidelines of Canadas Physical Activity Guide. Combine this trend with increased sedentary behav- iours and you bave a deadly recipe for a host of cbronic conditions such as Type Il diabetes, hypertension and some florins of cancers. Ultimately, the Obesity in Canada report aims to develop strategies to address the countrys ever-increasing battle of the bulge, and is well worth reading. However, we ail know what we should be doing. We're just not domng it. Reaiders Write Emnail lettera toe Witonal@miftncanadianchanipion.om Latera, which may be edit- ed, must include the wtacs name, addre and phone numbier No tax dollars should be spent on restoring church EDEAR EDITOR: Kenneth Simmons' letter published ast Tuesday suggested that no tax dol- ars should be spent on restoring St. Paul's United Church. He was right, and at no time was uch a suggestion made. However, those citizens fromt the :ommunity who value Miltons heritage vilI hopefully want to support the nemherships decision to preserve and -estore this wonderful heritage struc- ure: eThat helps define the historical lowntown area * That bas been used for large com- munity gatheringa in war and peace * Thats a strong reminder of Christian heritage and outreach - That bas magnificent acoustics shared in countîras public performanc- es , Thats a beacon of faith and centre for worship. 1 have great faith in the spirit and generosity of the people of Milton to help when help us needed. THEO WOLDER MILTON Transporrt reservle f und better idea DEAR EDITOl Councillor Rick Malboeuf's letter last Thursday highlighted the extrava- gant expenditure on public transit in Milton despite the fact therels little or no demand for it beyond peak hours. While many will agree that service should be restricted, I canl endorse his suggestion that the savings should, be spent elsewbre lnstead, if service is restricted the dollars saved should le earmarked toward a transit reserve fund that could be tapped into when the demand improves many years from now. lZbe Canabîn QCjampion Miltons Community Newspaper since i1860 555 Industnial Dr., Milton, Ont. L9T 5E1 905-8783-2341 Editorial Fax: 905-878-4943 Advertiaing Fax: 905-876-2364 Claasified:905-875-3300 Circulation: 905-878-5947 Www.miltoncanadianchampion.com V.P. - Group Publisher Neil Oliver Regional Generai Manager David Harvey Gênerai Manager Debbi Koppejan Editor in Chief Ji Davis Managing Editor Karen Miceli Production Manager T'im Coles Circulation Manager Charlene Hall Office Manager Sandy Pare On Lina Salea Manager Daniel Coleman Thse Canadian Champion, published eveey Tuesday and lhursda% ls a division Of Metroln Medlia Gm uld. liuveltiing li acceptei on lthe condition lta, in lthe eveet ut a flirapal etor ltat potiott of the aduetu- ing Ipace ahcupiei by lthe etloneaus lit, tagetheletoit a teasavabe atllaace tor ignalr i lut be cîe tor. but lte balantce ut lte adetisae,î ajil be piil aI lthe applicable raIe lite pltblistter teselves lthe rigit lu calegorite advertisemrent or deiee CCAB Audie Recoqauized for excellence by OtroCummunl 'AlOCf Neasspapersltssociation C C A Caîadian Commulity Netuspapers lissociatin M M Suburban Netuspapeu U K I_ ut America The Canactian Champion un a proud media sponsor for: tIala teaibcaîe MILTON SLCOME* SAUTA AGN-.~ CLAUS Jingle Bell Funli PARADE UN WAY4 0F MMLO CANADA DAY ~ ~YYMA DOUG DEANS MILTOt4 The ItOs Cual Champkon a Recyolaitle l5sdut - 1--j