The Times Advocate, 2006-03-08, Page 22
Exeter Times -Advocate
Wednesday, March 8, 2006
Nutrition and fitness a focus
at South Huron DHS forum
By Nina Van Lieshout
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
EXETER — Nutrition
and fitness was the topic
of discussion Feb. 22 at
South Huron District
High School (SHDHS).
Professor
o f
Kinesiology
Peter Lemon
of the
University of
Western
Ontario and
Huron
County
Health Unit
school nutri-
tion program co-ordina-
tor Nancy Fisher shared
their areas of expertise
for living a healthy life.
Lemon spoke about
nutritional exercise sci-
ence, explaining the
prevalent problems in
western society.
His research showed
that physical activity is
extremely minimal and
our nutritional intake is
inadequate.
Lemon says humans
evolved as physically
active organisms but
our activity levels have
decreased in compari-
son to our ancestors.
Our genes, however,
have not changed.
Our diet composition
has.
"Our diet is vastly dif-
ferent from our ances-
tors'," says Lemon.
He says our society
now eats more
processed food, fats,
saturated and trans fats
and omega six fats.
Our omega three fats
and fibre has decreased.
"Our bod-
ies have not
tolerated
these
changes
w e 1 1 ,
either,"
says Lemon.
He also
shared
some shock-
ing statistics
one which
50 per cent
is obese or
"Our diet is vastly
different from our
ancestors'."
— PETER LEMON
PROFESSOR OF
KINESIOLOGY
OF WESTERN
ONTARIO
UNIVERSITY
including
says about
of Canada
overweight.
"This results when the
energy intake exceeds
the expenditure,"
explained Lemon.
He also says low calo-
rie diets do not work.
This results in short
term weight loss but it
also causes nutrient
deficiencies and eventu-
al weight gain.
"It could even exceed
your original weight
before the diet," says
Lemon.
Instead Lemon recom-
mends various other
options to stay healthy
including increasing
spontaneous activity,
voluntary exercise, eat-
ing several times a day,
increasing fruits and
vegetables, protein,
omega three fat intake
such as fish oil and
drinking more water,
skim milk and green
tea.
Lemon's advice for los-
ing fat quickly and gain-
ing muscle is participat-
ing in a strength train-
ing program at least
three times a week.
He says it is important
for teenagers to begin
healthy living now,
explaining that diabetes
can also be caused by
an unhealthy lifestyle.
Principal Jeff Reaburn
made a comment to the
crowd of teachers and
parents that in Grade 9
many students partici-
pate in physical educa-
tion but by
Grade 10, 11
and 12 the
interest
decreases
significantly.
Lemon
ended his
presentation
by saying, "Anything
you do is more than
what you're doing now.
Work at it slowly."
Fisher focused on both
high school and elemen-
tary students, stressing
the importance of a
healthy lifestyle begin-
ning at a younger age.
She also explained the
School Nutrient
Program in Huron
County which was
founded in 1999 and is
a partnership between
two health units and
two school boards.
Fisher says that some
schools have vending
machines which hold
healthier choices and
that could be an option
for some of the schools
in Exeter and area.
Several brochures
were also shared by
Fisher.
She says chocolate
milk is surprisingly
a good source of calci-
um and vitamin—D it
has as much as white
milk does. It also has
several other nutritious
components.
She also explained the
importance
of iron.
Teen girls
need
almost 30
per cent
more than
boys.
Fisher
also shared a statistic
which says 50 per cent
of 12 to 14 year olds do
not eat the recommend-
ed minimal five servings
of fruits and vegetables.
For more information
on the Huron County
Health Unit School
Nutrient Program visit
www. huroncounty. ca
"Anything you do is
more than what you're
doing now Work at it
slowly?'
— LEMON
Local schools remain on closure list
MCGILLIVRAY — Three local
schools remain on a closure list
after an annual capital plan meet-
ing last week by the Thames
Valley District School Board.
Slated for closure are 21
schools, including local schools
Biddulph Central, Lucan Public
and McGillivray Central. A new
school is recommended to be built
in Lucan.
The closures were earlier rec-
ommended in November, when
results from a consultant's study
were revealed by the board.
Closures recommended last
week don't cut as deep as the
November list, which recommend-
ed the board close nine high
schools and 52 elementary
schools.
McGillivray Central is holding a
public meeting tonight (March 8)
at 7 p.m. to provide information to
parents on the proposed closure.
The school council is also looking
for feedback from the public.
Nei
bours opposed to music festival
Continued from front page
bours' concerns could be
answered, he could change his
mind.
Rosati said many of the worries
from neighbours are based on mis-
information. Brown said at the
meeting held with the neighbours,
some citizens had their minds
made up before the meeting even
started.
Speaking to concerns about alco-
hol, Brown said drinking is not a
priority at The World Electronic
Music Festival — people are there
for the music.
"It's a dance marathon," he said.
Rosati said liquor sales would be
"miniscule."
Of the noise, he said the festival is
quieter than the race cars that
compete at the Motorplex and
would be of a similar decibel level
of the sound of a car driving by on
the street.
Organizers said they couldn't
budge from the 5 a.m. request
because it's an integral part of the
event. In the end, council unani-
mously voted against allowing the
noise bylaw extension, kiboshing
the event at the Motorplex.
Huron County Health Unit school nutrient program
co-ordinator Nancy Fisher holds Canada's Food
Guide, explaining how many portions should be con-
sumed daily.AVegetarian Food Guide is also available.
(photo/Nina Van Lieshout)
REGIONAL WRAP UP •
Truscott date set
GODERICH — A hearing will begin June 19 which
will look into the murder conviction of Steven
Truscott, according to the Clinton News -Record.
Several witnesses will testify before three justices
of the Court of Appeal over three weeks.
Witnesses testifying include people who were chil-
dren when Lynne Harper was killed.
Other witnesses expected to be called are patholo-
gists who studied the evidence.
Truscott was convicted of killing Harper in 1959
and sentenced to hang. This ruling changed at a
later date and he was freed on parol in 1969.
The hearing will be in Toronto.
Libraries zone in on
teens
HURON — Libraries in Huron County are focusing
on teenagers.
Seaforth and Brussels libraries are hoping to cre-
ate a youth advisory group for teens between the
ages of 12 to 19, according to The Huron Expositor.
"The teenage population has received less atten-
tion than it deserves," says a recent press release
from the Seaforth library.
The group will meet to talk about improving and
promoting the library service for teens, such as cre-
ating a teen website for the Huron County Library.
Volunteer hours can be used towards the high
school community service hours.
The group will meet once a month. Anyone
between 12 and 19 is welcome.
New name
PARKHILL — About 150 people gathered recently
at a meeting to hear of a new name change in their
community.
The Parkhill Community Centre will be re -named,
according to The Parkhill Gazette.
The new name will incorporate the words `North
Middlesex'.
"We wanted to be community -oriented," says
board chairperson Phillip Bruce.
The name change will be achieved in the next six
months.
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