Healthy living promoted by province

The provincial government is trying to get more New Brunswickers to live a healthy lifestyle.

Statistics Canada reports 33 per cent of New Brunswick's population is considered obese — one of highest rates in the country — and the Minister of Wellness, Culture and Sport Trevor Holder said a change in lifestyle is long overdue.

"Over the course of a generation or two we got to this stage and if we're ever going to get our health-care costs under control we need to make the investments now so that in a generation we've made that shift," said Holder.

Activities are being held across the province to mark Wellness Week, part of a larger program Holder launched last year called Join the Wellness Movement. It encourages schools, communities and individuals to be more active.

To date, 92,000 have signed up and Holder would like to see that number double this year.
"You know, we've come a long way in certain things in our province," said Holder.

"We have to make sure that people understand that it's just as important to eat well. It's just as important to make sure that you take care of your mental fitness, as well as your physical fitness."
Stephanie MacDonald brought her children to a Wellness Week event at Fredericton's Kimble Park.

"I feel that it's important for them to get out and see the community getting involved and encouraging the community and groups to be living healthier and living a healthy and active lifestyle," said MacDonald.
"I myself, I try as much as possible to live a healthy and active lifestyle and I'm trying to teach that to my kids."

The community with the most people who commit to living well and leading a healthier life by the end of February will win an $8,000 grant from the province for other health initiatives.