No Time to Wait

TORONTO, March 4, 2013 /CNW/ - We couldn't agree more.  The Association of Local Public Health Agencies (alPHa) and the Council of Ontario Medical Officers of Health (COMOH) applauds the recommendations released today by the Healthy Kids Panel in their report, No Time to Wait:  The Healthy Kids Strategy.  The report provides welcome direction to Ontario's government by outlining specific actions that must be taken now and must be taken seriously.

Public health professionals across Ontario want to congratulate the Healthy Kids Panel, Minister Matthews and Minister Piruzza on the release of a comprehensive strategy for our children.  "COMOH had the opportunity to meet with the panel and is very pleased to see their recommendations included in the report", says Dr. Robert Kyle, a member of COMOH's Executive Committee. "The Panel's recommendations also reflect the many voices of parents, children and youth that were heard in the consultation process.  Further engagement of these voices will be an important part of the solution."

The Panel's recommendations clearly recognize that obesity is the result of far more than unhealthy behaviours and choices.  "The report's comprehensive approach emphasizes the importance of a healthy start in life, a healthy food environment and healthy communities. Together these can have a profound positive impact on making healthy choices easy choices," says alPHa's President, Dr. Paul Roumeliotis.

Public health looks forward to being a key partner in carrying out the necessary work to change the trajectory of childhood obesity in Ontario.

SOURCE: Association of Local Public Health Agencies

For further information:

For more information regarding this news release, please contact:

Linda Stewart
Executive Director
[phone] ext. 22
[e-mail]

Dr. Robert Kyle
Council of Ontario Medical Officers of Health
[phone] ext. 3110
[e-mail]