Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
Health

Senate Committee Urges Overhaul Of Canada's Food Guide To Combat Obesity

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 Mar, 2016 11:25 AM
    OTTAWA — Canada's Food Guide should be urgently overhauled to reflect current scientific evidence, a Senate committee report warned Tuesday.
     
    "Several witnesses suggested that Canada's Food Guide has been at best ineffective and at worst enabling with respect to the rising levels of unhealthy weights and diet-related chronic diseases in Canada," the report said.
     
    It recommended the revised food guide make strong statements about restricting consumption of highly processed foods.
     
    The report also suggested the government should consider a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages and a ban on advertising food and drinks to children.
     
    Committee chair Sen. Kelvin Ogilvie said obesity is a crucial determinant of serious health issues and declining quality of life.
     
    "We can't sugar-coat it any longer," Ogilvie said at an event an Ottawa YMCA. "The obesity crisis is real."
     
    A significant reduction in sugar consumption would go a long way toward promoting normal body weight and improved health, he added.
     
    The report follows a study conducted by the committee between February 2014 and June 2015.
     
    The committee conclusions also painted a picture of soaring obesity rates.
     
    The number of obese adults has doubled in Canada since 1980 while the number of obese children has tripled, the report noted.
     
    Each year 48,000 to 66,000 Canadians die from conditions linked to excess weight, it added.

    MORE Health ARTICLES

    Most Provinces Close To Targets For Surgical Wait Times But Parts Of British Columbia and Nova Scoti

    Most Provinces Close To Targets For Surgical Wait Times But Parts Of British Columbia and Nova Scoti
    TORONTO — A new report says wait times for key surgeries have held stable for the past five years, even though there have been substantial increases in the number of surgeries being done in some cases.

    Most Provinces Close To Targets For Surgical Wait Times But Parts Of British Columbia and Nova Scoti

    Go Under Knife To Spruce Up Your Personality

    Go Under Knife To Spruce Up Your Personality
    Facial rejuvenation surgery may not only make you look younger, it may spruce up your entire personality and boost self-confidence, says a study.

    Go Under Knife To Spruce Up Your Personality

    Blame This Gene Loss For Your Obsession With Size Zero

    Blame This Gene Loss For Your Obsession With Size Zero
    While social factors, particularly the western ideal of thinness, is largely blamed for increasing rate of eating disorders over the past several decades, loss of a gene also contributes to your obsession with having a thin figure, suggests a study.

    Blame This Gene Loss For Your Obsession With Size Zero

    Grilled Cheese Lovers Have More Sex, US Study Says

    Grilled Cheese Lovers Have More Sex, US Study Says
    According to a poll by the social networking and dating site, people who love grilled cheese have more sex than people who do not.

    Grilled Cheese Lovers Have More Sex, US Study Says

    Medications Past Best-before Date May Lose Potency, But How Soon?

    Medications Past Best-before Date May Lose Potency, But How Soon?
    TORONTO — The recall earlier this week of a batch of Alesse birth control pills sold past their expiry date has raised questions about whether it's safe to take over-the-counter and prescription medications beyond their best-before marker — and just how long past?

    Medications Past Best-before Date May Lose Potency, But How Soon?

    Stephen Harper To Meet Hemispheric Leaders In Panama At The Summit Of The Americas

    Stephen Harper To Meet Hemispheric Leaders In Panama At The Summit Of The Americas
    OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper will meet with the Western hemisphere's leaders this weekend when he travels to Panama for the Summit of the Americas.

    Stephen Harper To Meet Hemispheric Leaders In Panama At The Summit Of The Americas