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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday August 1, 2008 - 33 Choices 4 health promotes healthy weights in Halton ccording to the 2005 Canadian Community Health Survey, 60 per cent of adults in Canada and 26 per cent of children age two to 17 are overweight. In Halton, nearly half (48 per cent) of adults and 20 per cent of children are overweight. "Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is important to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes and to improve overall health," says Dr. Bob Nosal, Halton's Medical Officer of Health. "Choices 4 Health is taking action to promote healthy weights by supporting local initiatives through its funded projects and partnering with many community organizations." According to Dr. Nosal, past approaches to preventing obesity focused on individual responsibility for making healthy choices. "Recent evidence points to environmental, cultural, and social factors as influencers," he explains. "Do you drive to go to work, school or shopping? How much unstructured outdoor play time do your children have? Think about the many high calorie, low nutrient foods and beverages now available everywhere. All of these factors influence weight." In June 2007 and May 2008, Choices 4 Health worked with the Halton Region Health Department to host community consultations. The goal was to identify the programs and actions needed to promote healthy weights in Halton. Representatives from health and social services, parks and recreation, planning, the food industry, restaurants, workplaces, schools, as well as parents and young people explored the many contributing factors to obesity. They also discussed promising solutions and what is currently happening in Halton. Participants identified local priorities and actions, including: · Increased walking and cycling in the community as a means of transportation. This requires the development of walkable and bike-able communities including more bike racks at schools and workplaces, safe walking and biking routes, and improved links to existing transit systems. · More healthy food choices in the community, at community events and recreation facilities, in schools and workplaces, and more locally grown foods. · A mechanism for the Halton Region Health Department to continue to seek input and direction from the community regarding its Healthy Weights: Halton Takes Action initiative. This year Choices 4 Health is promoting healthy weights through active living and healthy eating programs such as: · Active and Safe Routes to School · Active Literacy · Families are Munching · Farm to School Seniors - We need YOUR ideas and suggestions! The Mississauga Halton Local Health Integration Network (MH LHIN) invites seniors and their families or informal caregivers living in Halton Hills, Milton, Mississauga, Oakville, or South Etobicoke to give their input into what health services and supports are needed locally to help seniors to live healthy and independent lives in their communities. Express your ideas by completing a five minute online survey at www.mississaugahaltonlhin.on.ca Your opinions and ideas will help shape the decisions of the MH LHIN around seniors' programs and services. The Mississauga Halton LHIN is one of 14 Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) established by the Government of Ontario in order to plan, fund, and monitor health care services at the local level. If you are interested in learning about other ways to get involved, please visit the Mississauga Halton LHIN at www.mississaugahaltonlhin.on.ca or call (905) 337-7131. A · Fresh Food Box · Halton Tobacco-Free Sport and Recreation · Healthy Concessions · Healthy School Nutrition and Physical Activity Action Grants · Physicians promoting Physical Activity ·Walk On For more information about these programs, visit www.choices4health.org. Partners in the healthy weights initiative include the Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Diabetes Association, Canadian Mental Health Association, Halton Active Living Network, Halton Healthy Eating Network, Halton Council on Smoking and Health, Halton Multicultural Council, Halton Region Health Department, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario, Women's Health Alliance of Halton and local poverty advocates. Choices 4 Health is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Health Promotion, community partners and the Halton Region Health Department. -- Submitted by Choices 4 Health Have you had a baby in the last 2 years? The Mississauga Halton Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) in partnership with The Credit Valley Hospital, Halton Healthcare Services, Trillium Health Centre, Public Health units and other community agencies, invites new mothers living in Mississauga, Oakville, Milton, Halton Hills or South Etobicoke to reflect on their experiences and provide ideas for improving health services and supports by completing a 2 minute online survey at www.mississaugahaltonlhin.on.ca The Mississauga Halton LHIN is one of 14 Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) established by the Government of Ontario in order to plan, fund, and monitor health care services at the local level. For more information, please contact: mississaugahalton@lhins.on.ca or call (905) 337-7131 Doors Open Oakville The first annual Doors Open Oakville event will be held September 27 and 28, 2008. The event is part of a larger provincewide tourism initiative called Doors Open Ontario. Each year in Ontario, hundreds of buildings of interest and merit regardless of age, natural spaces and heritage gardens ­ some of which are rarely accessible to the public ­ open for free as part of Doors Open. Many of the participating sites in Oakville will offer special activities such as tours, exhibitions and demonstrations. The guiding principle is to educate and inform the community about the importance of architectural, cultural and natural heritage sites. Oakville is an ideal location for this event as it has such a rich history and many of its important architectural sites have been protected over the years so that they remain a physical presence of the past for the present and the future. One of the sites included in Doors Open Oakville is the Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate. This four-acre property includes the restored home of the founding family of Oakville, the Chisholms, as well as a Coach House and Gardeners Cottage. In 1856 R.K Chisholm constructed a two-storey Custom House and the first Oakville branch of the Bank of Toronto. Visitors may also enjoy a delightful walking tour of the estate grounds and gardens with a panoramic view of the Oakville Harbour. Across from Erchless is the Old Post Office, open seasonally. Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate is designated as a Category A Heritage Institution and holds objects of national significance. To find out more about Doors Open Ontario call 1-800-ONTARIO (668-2746) or visit www.doorsopenontario.on.ca. VISIT THE OAKVILLE MUSEUM AT ERCHLESS ESTATE AND SEE SOME OF THESE GREAT EXHIBITS: From Time to Time Oakville 1928 & 2008 Eighty years apart but still the same town. Teens talk! July 1, 2008 through June 7, 2009 Emancipation Day Family Picnic Hosted by the Oakville Museum at Erchless Estate In Partnership with the Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton Sunday, August 3, 2008 1:00-4:00 PM George's Square, Downtown Oakville (at Trafalgar Rd. between Palmer Ave. & Sumner Ave.) For more information on events visit www.oakvillemuseum.com