Run. Jump. Play. Everyday! Greater Sudbury is Challenging Kids to Be More Active and Healthy

Jan 27, 2016

Greater Sudbury is one of 45 communities across Ontario taking part in Ontario’s Healthy Kids Community Challenge. The Healthy Kids Community Challenge unites communities with a common goal of promoting children’s health through physical activity and wise food choices. The City of Greater Sudbury is receiving up to $1,125,000 from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term care (MOHLTC) to fund the Healthy Kids Community Challenge.  

“I am excited to launch this program in 45 communities across Ontario,” Said Dipika Damerla, Associate Minister of Health and Long-Term Care. “The idea is to get kids to learn healthy habits from an early age. Good habits learned in childhood will serve them well throughout their lives.”

Every nine months, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) will launch a new theme related to physical activity or healthy eating; two protective factors associated with healthy weights in children. The first theme, “Run. Jump. Play. Every day.” encourages physical activity through a mix of active play, sport, transportation and unstructured activities.

 “Greater Sudbury’s participation in the Healthy Kids Community Challenge is great news for families in our community,” said Sudbury MPP Glenn Thibeault. “The commitment and collaboration of our local leaders in business, education and health have been an inspiration, and I look forward to seeing the difference this challenge will make in the lives of our children.”

Over the next five months, activities are scheduled throughout Greater Sudbury to help kids get active.  Events include a free family Snow Day on Saturday, February 6, on Ramsey Lake; a series of Activate Your Neighborhood family events and free skating lessons at several outdoor rinks. Local health, education, recreation and business organizations are partnering in the challenge to help promote a healthy lifestyle for all children.

“Adopting a healthy lifestyle starts at an early age,” said Mayor Brian Bigger. “It takes a community to raise a child. The Healthy Kids Challenge is a reminder to all of us that we can be positive role models in the food choices we make and the amount and variety of physical activity we perform each day.” 

To help share the message, the City of Greater Sudbury is seeking local Healthy Kids Champions. Children throughout the community are invited to submit video, drawings or essays about what makes them a “Super Healthy Kid”. Champions will be featured on the city’s website and in healthy kids’ promotions. 

For more information about Healthy Kids Community Challenge activities visit www.sudburyfamilies.ca/healthykids, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/healthykidssudbury/ or follow us on Twitter at @healthykidssud.

Quick Facts
-The Shkagamik-Kwe Health Centre is receiving up to $525,000 from the MOHLTC to fund local Healthy Kids Community Challenge projects. 
-The Healthy Kids Community Challenge builds on steps the Province of Ontario g has already taken to implement recommendations from the Healthy Kids Panel, including a 24-hour support line for breastfeeding moms and expanding Ontario’s Student Nutrition Program.
-In 2009, the economic cost associated with physical inactivity and unhealthy weight in Ontario was $4.5 billion.
-Supporting community-based activities to promote healthier living is a key recommendation of the Healthy Kids Panel report.

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