Did you walk 45 minutes this morning?

[OpenMike]

--Ian MacInnis from St John's, Canada writes:

Don't blame the government, don't blame the food companies, don't blame marketing...blame those who stuff themselves with fatty foods and do not exercise. Take some personal responsibility for god sake. If an advertisment told you to jump into traffic would you? Have a mind of your own.
And if your kids are becoming obese, eat healthier and do more activities with them. This is YOUR responsibility, not the school systems'.

BTW, forcing kids to exercise will not create a group that likes to exercise. It will simply create a whole cohort of students who hate exercise because their teachers made them do it.

--Health Canada recommends children and youth do at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical exercise per day, which could be anything from brisk walking, skating, and bike riding to running, weight training, and team sports.



--B.C. government orders children to move more
Canadian Press


VANCOUVER — There's a move to slim down B.C.'s school children, with the provincial government setting the highest school health standards in Canada.

The province will now require 30 minutes of daily physical activity for all students and is fast-tracking junk food out of public schools.

Education Minister Shirley Bond said that one in four children in B.C. is now either overweight or obese, which has to change for the future of the province.

Ms. Bond said removing junk food, and mandating physical activity helps to create a culture of health in schools.

Revised guidelines for food and drink sales will be bought in by January.

The exercise requirements will be fully implemented by September, 2008, but a number of early leader schools across B.C. will be testing the process this year.