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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2005-10-12, Page 7News Huron County residents more active, also more overweight than provincial averages Bob Montgomery alrEIEM A national study conducted in 2000 - 2001 shows the level of physical activity of Huron County residents to be above the provincial average. Unfortunately, it also shows that more Huron County residents are over -weight than the average across the province. Huron County public health promoter Craig Metzger said the results of the study were announced recently and they show that 61 per cent of Huron County residents over the age of 18 were considered overweight or obese — significantly higher than the provincial aver- age of 49 per cent and among the highest in the province. Metzger said it's interesting that Huron County residents score above the provincial average in level of physical activity. That also suggests that the problem is more closely related to diet - the type of food we eat and the amount of food we eat. Metzger said restaurants of all types are partly responsible for the amount we eat — portion sizes have increased considerably over the last 10 years and are featured prominent- ly in much of the advertising we see. And human nature being what it is, if we've paid for it we're probably going to eat it. We might be better off paying a little less for con- siderably fewer calories. In fact, as we get older, and tend to be less physically active, we need less fuel. But some of us still eat the way we did when we were much younger. Metzger said parents also have a role to play here when it comes to their children. He said studies have shown that children will eat what's put in front of them — they don't eat until they're full, they eat until the meal is gone. Metzger said the Huron County Health Unit has a number of programs that encourage good diet and sensible exercise. He also said weight that's lost quickly is often put back on — permanent weight loss takes time and requires a serious lifestyle change. Information on diet or exercise programs can be obtained by contacting the Huron County Health Unit at 482-3416. Libraries closing to install new computer system All Huron County libraries will be closed from Oct. 16 to 20 as a new Unicorn computer system is installed , says County Librarian Beth Ross. The most obvious improvement for Huron County library users will be the ability to consult the library catalogue from home and interact with it. Unicorn is a powerful computer system pro- viding integrated pur- chasing, cataloguing, collection exchange and circulation func- tions for the library system. Most of this activity goes on behind the scenes and is the engine driving the capabilities of public libraries to provide access to information, books, and other mate- rials to residents across Huron County. "For library users, the iBistro online cata- logue will serve infor- mation seekers from home, work, school, or at their public libraries via the Internet," says Ross. "The new catalogue will provide user- friendly access through the library's web page, including renewing books and placing holds, checking your own account, and even registering your favourite authors so that the catalogue will notify you of new books that meet your profile," she says. New features will include simpler and more intuitive cata- logue searches, best- seller and prizewin- ning lists, colour book jackets, and book reviews. The library's website, www.huroncounty.ca already provides access to electronic subscrip- tion databases of full - text articles from thou- sands of newspapers and magazines. The databases and a personalized portal to the library catalogue require users to have a library card, available free to Huron County residents from any public library. During the closure next week, new equip- ment will be installed and staff will be trained in the automa- tion system. Libraries will reopen with normal hours on Friday, Oct. 21. For more informa- tion, contact Ross at 482-5457. The Huron Expositor • October 12, 2005 Page 7 Betij a111111 'Ioou(' Partners Paint & Paper Inure n\ Decorating or Renovating? We provide in-home consultation by a certified professional at No Cost or Obligation!* Call today to set up your appointment. 19 Main Street, Seaforth (519)527-1880 or 1-866-707-7670 I>�.nj lu,in ' *Addresses within 1/2 hour of our store! 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