"This may be the first generation to have a shorter lifespan than their parents."
A prominent statement made by Bill Ursel, Community Action Coordinator for the Heart and Stroke Foundation to Yorkton City Council members Monday evening, Ursel says childhood obesity is a growing concern and the current trend must be turned around.
In attendance to share with council a new Heart and Stroke Foundation geared to promote healthy lifestyles, Ursel says the children are our future and we need to create a healthier generation.
Called Heart Healthy Children & Youth, the new initiative focuses on improving health and increasing physical activity.
"A focus on improving the health of our children and youth is very timely and requires the concerted and cooperative effort of many people, agencies, organizations and governments," suggests Ursel. With that said, the foundation partnered with Saskatchewan Health to launch the Heart Healthy Children & Youth initiative on April 8 of this year.
"It's and investment by the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan aimed at turning the tide on impending health crisis."
To support the concept the foundation has hired two community action coordinators - Ursel being one.
"I am consulting with a wide range of groups including community leaders, health regions, and government officials from Swift Current, Moose Jaw, Regina, Yorkton, Weyburn and Estevan. These consultations allow me to become acquainted with local leaders and discuss ways I can develop contacts in these communities to achieve our common health related goals."
It takes a healthy village to raise a healthy child, he adds and together the community can work to make that happen.
A major concern suggests Ursel is that unhealthy kids in general, become unhealthy adults but the cure he says, is quite simple - get active. Rather than spending six hours in front of a television, children should be getting daily, 30 minutes of exercise at home, 30 at school, and 30 in the community.
If communities begin working together building strategies a new approach to healthier lifestyles can be achieved says Ursel and this needs to be encouraged in order for positive change to happen.
"We need to determine what is being done on the ground to eliminate heart disease and stroke... share resources... and identify windows for collaboration.
"We are encouraging communities to talk to each other about healthy ideas... share success stories, build on success... this is a national program... we're supported by a nation of community leaders... we're engaged and we're focused on change."
Ursel says support will be available locally for anyone who wants to jump on board or learn more.
Learn more by visiting www.heartandstroke.sk.ca, by calling 1-888-473-4636 or by emailing Ursel at: [email protected].
