Why was At My Best developed?
- Canada has one of the highest childhood obesity rates in the developed world, ranking fifth out of 34 OECD* countries. In 1978, 12 per cent of children and adolescents aged 2 to 17 years were overweight and 3 per cent were obese – for a combined overweight/obesity prevalence of 15 per cent. By 2004, 18 per cent were overweight in this age group and 8 per cent – or half a million children – were obese – a combined prevalence of 26 per cent. (Healthy Weights for Healthy Kids, 2007)
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
- Obesity conditions in youth and adolescents often continue into adulthood, which can contribute to a range of other debilitating diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular conditions and diabetes.
- It is estimated that the direct health cost of obesity is $1.6 billion annually or 2.4 per cent of total health care spending. The indirect cost of obesity is $2.6 million, which is related to lost productivity, disability insurance and reduced quality of life and mental health problems due to stigmatization and poor self-esteem. (Healthy Weights for Healthy Kids, 2007)
- There is a current epidemic of overweight, obese and physically inactive children and youth across Canada. A 2004 Canadian Community Health survey found that among children aged 6 to 17, the likelihood of obesity tended to rise with time spent watching TV, playing video games or using the computer.
- Lack of adequate health and physical education programs and limited resources within the school system have contributed to children not developing the skills or the habits that are needed to be physically active and to make healthy lifestyle choices.
