A recent report has found that Ontario children are decreasing their life span with the lack of physical activity and poor eating habits in their daily lives.

A report that was released by the Heart and Stroke Foundation yesterday warns that something needs to be done soon for the children or the healthy percentage of children will decrease each year.
Dr. Robert Hegele, a Professor and Researcher of Medicine at the University of Western Ontario said “It should serve as a wakeup call that our children are not making the grade in terms of heart health.”
This recent study was a repeat of a survey that was done in 1998. The rates have not improved since this last report, while the researchers were expected to find a way to improve the activity level and eating habits of the children.
“We are seeing worsening trends in diet and worsening trends in activity level despite the fact there is greater awareness of what we should be doing.” said Hegle in London at a news conference.
The recent survey found that 1 in 8 Ontario children ate the recommended 5 or more servings of fruit and vegetables each day. The 1998 survey found 1 in 5 ate the 5 servings.
The children consuming junk food was the same with three fourths of the children eating high fat, high sugar, or high salt foods twice a week.
The physical activity in the children was also a disappointing factor of the study.
Children active in the summer months were steady at 89 percent, and the drop of percentage in the winter months were physically active 3 or more times a week was 57 percent now from 66 percent in 1998.
Hegele stated that the parents of children need to think about ideas to promote a healthy life style for their children. “A healthy weight is not different than washing your hands, brushing your teeth, having vaccines. It is part of a healthy lifestyle.” commented Hegele.
(Source: ecanada.com)