New program tackles growing problem of childhood obesity

Not new, but same old, same old.

Although British Columbia has a lower child obesity rate than the rest of Canada, the number of dangerously overweight children is on the increase, according to a government report.

Provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall said the number of obese children has doubled in the past 25 years, citing statistics from a report titled Select Standing Committee on Health: A Strategy for Combating Childhood Obesity and Physical Inactivity in B.C.

However, he noted this trend can be stopped if communities focus on prevention programs and encourage healthier lifestyles and eating habits.

A new program doing just that is SCOPE (Sustainable Childhood Obesity Prevention through Community Engagement), which began recently in Abbotsford and Prince George. The program has also launched a website, www.scopebc.ca,providing information to British Columbians about preventing obesity and encouraging healthy choices.

Its guidelines follow a 5-2-1-0 rule, which means children should eat five vegetables or fruits daily, spend no more than two hours in front of a screen, do at least one hour of active play and have zero sugar-sweetened drinks.

"SCOPE is a way to engage British Columbians in a more broader health initiative," said Kendall. "There's a tremendous role for municipalities to look at where unhealthy foods are marketed and sold and schools can certainly encourage healthy food choices and activities."

"More broader."

Apparently, they need a new English program.

Doomed to fail.