HealthLink: Obesity and Children - What are Canadians thinking?
Recent Ipsos-Reid Canada surveys shed some light on what Canadians think about children and obesity. Here are a few highlights.
The 2003 Canadians and Obesity study surveyed a random sample of 1000 Canadian adults. It found that obesity ranked sixth when asked "What are the most important health issues facing Canadians today?" Top of mind was inadequate healthcare followed by cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Another Ipsos-Reid survey of 1056 Canadians, conducted on behalf of Today's Parent magazine, found that 94% of Canadians agreed that the number of overweight and inactive children is a serious health issue in Canada.
When it came to physical activity, 9 in 10 agreed that provincial governments should make physical activity (at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day) mandatory for students from Kindergarten to Grade 12. Eight in ten agreed with the statement "the influence of television/internet and video games on children is so powerful that it is difficult for parents to get their kids to be more physically active." In the same study, almost 7 in 10 disagreed with the statement "fast-food restaurants offer enough low-fat nutritious choices for children."
Other 2003 Ipsos-Reid surveys found that almost three-quarters of parents reported that in the past year they have limited the amounts or types of foods their children eat in order for them to have a healthy diet. The top three responses were limiting candy/sweets (36%), control what we buy (26%) and limit chips/fries (18%). Children were defined as 17 years of age and under and living at home.
The biggest challenges reported seem to be overcoming what kids want, affordability and time required for a healthy lifestyle. Seventy five percent of Canadians think individuals are responsible for obesity among adults. Canadians see a number of diverse organizations playing a major role in helping fight Canada's obesity issue. Leading the way are healthcare providers (84%), followed by schools (74%), food companies (63%), government (56%) and employers (23%).
Consumer Tip:
There are many factors that can support children in living a healthier lifestyle. Offering healthy food choices and opportunities for regular physical activity are two key elements.
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