Children across Bruce and Grey Counties are not eating healthy and they are not active enough.
That is the finding of a new study for the Grey Bruce Health Unit, the Bluewater public school board and the Bruce Grey Catholic School Board.
The SHAPES study calls for immediate action to improve the health of children and reduce childhood obesity.
More than 22 hundred students in Grades 5 to 12 were surveyed.
The main results show only 25 per cent of students typically consume sufficient fruits and vegetables.
40 per cent of students report eating junk food four or more times per day.
Less than 50 per cent of children are heaving breakfast each morning before school.
14 per cent of high school students report getting no activity either in or outside of school.
At least one in four students surveyed spend three or more hours daily infront of a TV, computer screen or on the phone.
Lead investigator Doctor Steve Manske says these students need healthy eating and physical activity habits to create a culture of wellness.
Manske feels the health unit and the two school boards are making efforts to reduce childhood obesity.
He points to the Bluewater school board’s decision to eliminate junk food and deep fat fryers from schools.
Manske says the move shows real leadership and the board is putting the health of its students first.
