Children’s Health And Nutrition Initiative Vital

January 17, 2007  MP calls for national healthy food program

OTTAWA – The Children’s Health and Nutrition Initiative - a proposal to make safe and healthy food available to all of Canada’s children – will help working families address real concerns relating to childhood obesity and malnutrition.

MP Olivia Chow says the initiative calls for universal nutritious food programs to make breakfasts, snacks or lunches available to any child in Canada under the age of 18, in venues deemed most appropriate by each local community.  This initiative will mean that no Canadian child will go to school hungry.

The initiative was unveiled today in Ottawa by a group of concerned Canadians led by Chow, Dr. Robert Cushman, former Medical Officer of Health for the City of Ottawa, Martha O'Connor, Executive Director of Breakfast for Learning, and Ulla Knowles, a parent and Student Nutrition Facilitator at FoodShare Toronto.

Reports indicate that more than seven out of ten children don’t eat the recommended daily minimum of five servings of vegetables and fruit. The number of overweight and obese children doubled among 6-17 year olds between 1979 and 2004, and obesity tripled among Canadian teens. With a far reaching community based program designed to combat both childhood obesity and malnourishment in Canada, the Initiative aims to address these serious health concerns. The initiative reflects input and support from leading nutritionists, food program organizers, health officials, chefs and parents. 

“It is time for Canada to show leadership in children’s health, and this practical initiative is an important step,” says Dr. Cushman. “Good nutrition is vital to the health of children – both under-nourishment and obesity carry a heavy cost for families and for society.”

“We have the opportunity to institute healthy practices that will greatly reduce the long term burden of poor childhood nutrition on the health care system and the economy,” said Chow.