An APPLE every day

Childhood obesity is on the rise as one in four children in Canada is overweight and one in 13 is obese. Despite these alarming numbers, a University of Alberta researcher has some encouraging results from a school program that is showing improvements in children's diets and physical activity levels.

Paul Veugelers, professor in epidemiology and internationally renowned expert in the study of nutrition and physical activity among children, gave a lecture entitled "Canada's Childhood Obesity Epidemic: Where Do We Go From Here?" at the U of A Calgary Centre March 18.

The lecture centred on Veugelers work with Alberta Project Promoting active Living and healthy Eating Schools, or APPLE, and how comprehensive school health programs such as this can result in positive health outcomes and behaviours.

"Eighty per cent of obese children become obese adults, one in three children will develop Type 2 diabetes and today's generation of children will not get as old as their parents," said Veugelers during his presentation. "To reverse this trend, children need to eat healthy foods and be more physically active. One of the ways this can be done is by changing a child's environment so that making the healthy choice becomes the easy choice."

Veugelers was joined by Margaret Schwartz, manager of the APPLE Schools program. To sustain the work being done in pilot schools, Schwartz pointed out that school programs should be complemented by efforts in the home and the community. However, a solid foundation for health can be established by beginning with children early and promoting health in an environment where they spend considerable time-at school.

"Our data shows that 94 per cent of parents surveyed want to limit the availability of unhealthy foods in schools, while 68.5 per cent of children surveyed care about being healthy," said Schwartz. "These wishes are complementary and if a commitment is made to maintaining the healthy habits practiced in the schools, positive results can be achieved."

This lecture was the fourth in the Calgary Centre Speaker Series. Up next is David Percy, dean of the University of Alberta School of Business, who will be giving a talk entitled, "Water Allocation in Alberta: Issues, Challenges, Solutions," on May 13.

Provided by University of Alberta