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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday April 21, 2007 - 41 There is more to a healthy weight than you think Maintaining a healthy weight is an important factor in preventing chronic diseases such as type II diabetes, heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, and some types of cancer (breast, endometrial, colon, prostrate and kidney). Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health created a report, "Healthy Weights Healthy Lives," highlighting the growing obesity problem in Canada. Almost 50 per cent of Ontarians are overweight. Childhood obesity rates are rising at an alarming rate. Between 1981 and 1996 obesity rates of children tripled. Many people believe that individuals are solely responsible for their weight. They believe that weight management is simple; all you have to do is watch what you eat and be more active. However, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is much more complex. The environment, especially where you live and work, has a significant impact on your weight and health. Your environment will impact on your ability to obtain adequate sleep, daily physical activity, and healthy meals. In addition, age (as we age metabolism slows down) and genetics (some people gain weight more easily due to their genes) can contribute to obesity. Where you live and work will determine how long you spend in a car, which has a direct impact on your weight. Where you live influences how active you may be and in many cases, what food you will eat. Having stores and other amenities within walking distance (10 minutes or less to destination) will influence your decision to walk or drive. When was the last time you or someone in your family walked to the grocery or video store? When you choose to eat out, can you walk there? Once there, is the food nutritious? Where you work has an impact on your weight in the following ways: Being employed and how much money you have determines your ability to purchase nutritious foods. A large percentage of the population has sedentary jobs. Your ability to walk or take public transit to work can impact your weight, and the amount of hours you work determines whether you have time to prepare meals, participate in recreational activities, walk to your destination, or get enough sleep. Many people today sit in their cars for two hours a day, sit at work for seven hours, drive children to activities, scramble to provide a nutritious meal, get caught up on e-mail, watch a bit of television, spend 30 minutes with their children, and then fall into bed. Often, we are not prepared for the time pressures of our hectic lives. Many of these pressures are beyond our control. The Halton Region Health Department is undertaking a community consultation process to address healthy weights in Halton. It involves speaking to many people and organizations about what can be done locally to create environments to promote healthy weights. This information will be used to plan a conference. The conference's goal is to recruit local stakeholders to form working groups that will identify and work on projects that support healthy weights. If you are interested in being involved, contact Halton Region at 905-825-6000, toll free 1-866-4HALTON (1-866-442-5866), or TTY 905827-9833. -- Health Notes is prepared by staff of Halton Region Health Department. Oakville diving in for BIG Swim Oakville residents will dive in with a three-time Olympian to raise funds for local Arthritis Society this weekend. Oakvillians will assist three-time Canadian Olympic swimmer Joanne Malar make a splash in her attempts at raising awareness and funds for arthritis. After representing Canada at the Olympics in Barcelona (1992), Atlanta (1996) and Sydney (2000), Malar is now the spokesperson for Foresters' BIG Swim for Arthritis. The BIG Swim is Canada's only national swimming-based fundraiser, with money raised going to The Arthritis Society to help more than four million Canadians living with this often painful and debilitating disease. Everyone knows someone with arthritis and Malar hopes that Canadians will join her in embracing the BIG Swim by registering and collecting pledges in support of The Arthritis Society. The BIG Swim is taking place today and tomorrow in Oakville as well as in over 60 pools across the country. Organizers hope more than 3,000 people will participate in events ranging from distance swims to fun and healthy Aquafit challenges. The Foresters BIG Swim for Arthritis - Oakville will take place on Saturday, April 21 with Aquafit classes (four classes) from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Southern Ontario Medical Recreation Centre, at 1131 Invicta Dr., Unit 2 in Oakville. On Sunday, the event will continue with a Lane Challenge from noon to 3 p.m. and Aquafit from 1-2 p.m. at Premier Fitness Oakville, at 474 Iroquois Shore Rd. For information on how to register or volunteer visit www.bigswim.ca. Plays on Alzheimer's Halton Region and the Halton Dementia Network are hosting two performances about dementia, I'm Still Here and One More Memory: The Story of an Amazing Lady with Alzheimers Disease on Monday, April 23, 2007. The performances will be held in Allendale's Auditorium, 185 Ontario St. South, Milton, at 6:30 p.m. There is no charge to attend, but registration is required. Call 905-825-6000 ext. 8518) or visit www.halton.ca. Don't Fight To Have Your Prescriptions Refilled, Switch To HEALTH-AID PHARMACY OUR FRIENDLY & PROFESSIONAL SERVICE INCLUDES A FREE MEDICATION REVIEW! Sam Carusi B.Sc. PHM. Pharmacist/Owner Seminar on Understanding Prostate Cancer A free seminar, Understanding Prostate Cancer: A discussion with Dr. Casey, will be held at the Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH) Auditorium on Wednesday, April 24. Displays and refreshments will be available at 6:30 p.m. and the seminar starts at 7 p.m. OTMH is located at 327 Reynolds St. Dr. Richard Casey, M.D., Urologist, Halton Healthcare Services, and Director, Fe/Male Health Centre. According to the Canadian Cancer Society an estimated 20,100 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer and 4,200 will die of it this year. One in eight men will develop prostate cancer during his lifetime, mostly after age 70. One in 26 will die of it. Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in Canadian men. Men over age 50 should discuss with their doctor the benefits and risks of early detection. The cause of prostate cancer is not known.To reserve contact 905338-4379 or e-mail elittle@haltonhealthcare.on.c a. If you are unable to attend the event and would like more information on this topic, speak to your physician and contact the Cancer Information Service at 1-888939-3333 or www.cancer.ca. For support services contact the Oakville Canadian Cancer Society at 905-8452571 or Wellspring at 905257-1988 / www.wellspring.ca. Do you have less energy since starting taking cholesterol medicines? You can get it back. I will show you how! KNOWLEDGE IS YOUR BEST MEDICINE Pharmacy 290 Lakeshore Rd. E., Oakville Ph. (905) 339-1066 Fax: (905) 339-1301 Hours: Mon. to Fri. 9 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sat. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. A STEP BEYOND IN CARE FREE MINI MASSAGE Attention New Parents... with Dr. Jenna Davis SALIMA KASSAM REG. CHIROPODIST Specializing in: · Foot/Arch Pain · General/Diabetic Care · Permanent Ingrown Toenail Removal · Custom Made Foot Orthotics Chiropractic Mother's Morning Out · Baby Yoga · Developmental and Cognitive Activities · Postural and Core Strengthening Exercises · Health and Wellness Discussions FREE PROGRAM · Meet other New Parents Everyone Welcome! Bring your baby/toddler and friends and let's have some FUN! Wednesday, April 25th, 2007 10:30-11:30am Playmat space is limited. Please call Alliance Healthcare 905-845-2291 to reserve your spot! New Location P Dr. Jenna Davis Family Chiropractor/Acupuncturist Eligible study participants will receive FREE study medication, diabetes supplies and nutritional counselling. CALL 905-632-1414 Alliance Healthcare Professionals 905.845.2291 232 South Service Rd. E, Oakville, ON L6J 2X5 www.alliancehealthcare.ca Call toll free: 1-866-701-ENDO Or visit: www.lmc.ca 728 Burloak Drive, Unit B3 (3636)