The Saskatchewan government is committed to finding new ways to encourage healthy weights in children and youth through the creation of a Saskatchewan Healthy Weights Framework.
A dialogue on healthy weights was the focus of a two day roundtable jointly hosted by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada in Saskatoon on May 31 and June 1. The roundtable was organized as a part of Our Health Our Future: A National Dialogue on Healthy Weights and focused on children and youth. This provincial dialogue was also one step in the development of a Saskatchewan Healthy Weights Framework. The event brought together health organizations, government ministries, industry representatives, community-based organizations, the academic community, representatives from local governments and First Nations and Métis organizations.
"The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to participate in a national and provincial dialogue to help identify ways to promote and maintain healthy weights," Health Minister Don McMorris said. "Children and youth are the future of Saskatchewan. If we can ensure that they, their families and communities are supported in making healthy lifestyle choices we will have a healthier future generation."
Areas of discussion included encouraging supportive social and physical environments, identifying areas where early action can be taken to address obesity risks in children, increasing access to nutritious foods as well as identifying priorities, gaps and opportunities for action.
"Our Health Our Future: A National Dialogue on Healthy Weights is a key step in implementing Curbing Childhood Obesity: A Federal, Provincial and Territorial Framework for Action on Healthy Weights," Co-Chair representing provinces and territories on the Healthy People and Communities Steering Committee, and Provincial Health Officer, Ministry of Health, Province of British Columbia Dr. Perry Kendal said. "Through the framework, Ministers agreed to make childhood obesity a collective priority, to champion this issue and to coordinate joint and/or complementary actions to help promote healthy weights in children."
The provincial work to promote healthy weights is complementary to the national work that is already occurring. The Saskatchewan Healthy Weights Framework will build upon the work at the national level and ensure that it is appropriate for Saskatchewan residents. The consultation on the Healthy Weights Framework will continue until the fall of 2011. At that time, work will focus on finalizing a framework and supporting cross-sector action to promote healthy weights in Saskatchewan.
Canadians who want to get involved in the national dialogue on healthy weights can visit www.ourhealthourfuture.gc.ca to share their ideas.
