Child Health Report 2002 - Nutrition, Physical Activity and
Obesity

Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity

• Obesity is an important risk factor for health in children and adults.
• National surveys indicate Canadian children are becoming significantly more overweight and obese.
• Fewer Canadian children are eating fruits and vegetables - in 1990, 77% of Grade six males and 85% of Grade six females ate fruit daily; by 1998, this proportion declined to 69% in males and 77% in females.
• Canadian children are exercising less - in 1990, 86% of Grade six males and 78% of Grade six females reported exercising two or more times per week outside school hours; by 1998, this proportion had declined to 71% for males and 57% for females.
• Nearly one-third (32%) of Peel children aged 12-19 years were inactive, according to the Physical Activity Index.

• Chapter One - child population
• Chapter Two - family and community
• Chapter Three - infant health
• Chapter Four - injuries and violence
• Chapter Five - communicable disease
• Chapter Six - mental health
• Chapter Seven - dental health
• Chapter Eight - tobacco, alcohol and drug use
• Chapter Nine - nutrition, physical activity and obesity
• Chapter Ten - sexual health
• Chapter Eleven - child mortality and hospitalization
  
  
• Executive Summary, Lists, References, and Complete Report