Childhood obesity is on the rise as 1 in 4 children in Canada is
overweight and 1 in 13 is obese. Despite these alarming numbers,
a U of A researcher shared some encouraging results from a
school program that is showing improvements in children's diets
and physical activity levels. Paul Veugelers, professor in the
School of Public Health and internationally renowned expert in
the study of nutrition and physical activity among children,
recently gave a lecture entitled Canada's Childhood Obesity
Epidemic: Where Do We Go From Here? The event was held at the U
of A Calgary Centre. The lecture centred on Veugelers' work with
APPLE (Alberta Project Promoting active Living and healthy
Eating) Schools 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, 1 in 3 children will develop type 2 diabetes, and
today's generation of children will not get as old as their
parents," said Veugelers. "To reverse thi