British Columbia's families are leading the country when it comes to healthy lifestyles, according to Statistics Canada's Canadian Community Health Survey for 2011, released today.

Each year, Statistics Canada releases the report card on self-reported health indicators, health status and health system use. In keeping with recent years, B.C. ranks at or near the top on most indicators measured.

For example:

• British Columbian adults have the lowest rates of self-reported obesity or overweight in the country, at 46.6 per cent. The rate is significantly lower for British Columbian women (37.5 per cent) than men (55.7 per cent).

• Physical activity rates for those 12 and older are the highest among the provinces, at 59.6 per cent.

• Smoking rates here in B.C. are also the lowest in the country, at 15.8 per cent.

• British Columbian families rank third among all Canadian jurisdictions in fruit and vegetable consumption, with 40.7 per cent of those 12 and older consuming fruit or vegetables five or more times per day. Women (45.2 per cent) were more frequent consumers than men (36.1 per cent).

• British Columbia continues to increase its ranking of self-perceived health for those over 12 years of age, moving from fourth to second in the country (along with Newfoundland and Labrador) with 60.9 per cent of respondents reporting very good to excellent overall health.

Despite the positive results, there remains room for improvement. The government of B.C. is committed to supporting healthy lifestyles for all British Columbian families, and reducing rates of chronic disease. On May 10, 2012, British Columbia announced the formalization of the first provincial partnership with the national, non-profit organization ParticipACTION to further promote healthy living and physical activity.

The partnership supports Healthy Families BC, a public-health strategy launched in May 2011 that addresses chronic disease - such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer - and obesity prevention among British Columbian families and communities with a focus on healthy eating and physical activity.

The Canadian Community Health Survey has been providing population-level information on health determinants, health status and health system use for ten years.

Quotes:

Minister of Health Michael de Jong -

"Once again, British Columbians have shown that they are among the healthiest in the country - something each of us can be proud of. However, prevention is the best medicine, and if we want to continue to reduce the burden of chronic disease and illness on our health system and our lives, we are going to need to keep striving for improvement."

"Through initiatives like Healthy Families BC, our comprehensive smoking cessation program and our formal partnership with ParticipACTION to promote physical activity, we are committed to helping British Columbians get and stay healthy."

Quick Facts:

• B.C. is the first province in Canada to partner with ParticipACTION to promote healthy living and physical activity, with a $6 million investment.

• Evidence shows that individuals who are physically active, achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, enjoy a healthy diet and refrain from smoking, can reduce their risk factors for most chronic diseases by up to 80 per cent. In turn, living a longer, healthier, happier life and saving millions annually in health-care-associated costs.

• Through Informed Dining, the provincial government is helping make the healthy choice the easy choice while dining out, by providing nutritional information on all standard menu items at participating restaurants.

• Obesity rates in children have almost tripled in the last 25 years. Approximately 26 per cent of Canadian children aged 2-17 years are currently overweight or obese.

• In British Columbia, 51,000 children (seven per cent) aged 2-17 years were classified as obese and 138,500 (20 per cent) as overweight.

• About 2,000 British Columbians die prematurely every year due to obesity-related illnesses, such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.

• The provincial government offers free, practical information on physical activity and healthy living by providing guidance to help you become more physically active, overcome your barriers and stay motivated and connecting you with health professionals and community health and fitness programs through the Physical Activity Line: http://www.physicalactivityline.com/

Learn More:

The survey is available online at: http://www5.statcan.gc.ca/cansim/a05?lang=eng&id=1050501

For resources to support healthy eating, healthy lifestyles and healthy communities, visit: www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca

Media Contact:

Ryan Jabs
Media Relations Manager
Ministry of Health
250 952-1887 (media line)