Statistics Canada released its annual Canadian Community Health Survey June 21 confirming that B.C. still holds the top spot among provinces when it comes to living healthy lifestyles.
The 2010 Canadian Community Health Survey shows that, among provinces:
* British Columbians (ages 12 and over) have the highest physical activity rates at 59.1 per cent.
* B.C. has the lowest smoking rate in Canada at 17.8 per cent.
* British Columbians rank second for fruit and vegetable consumption (five or more times per day) at 43 per cent.
* Adult British Columbians have the lowest self-reported obesity rates at
44.4 per cent and youth (ages 12-17) also have the lowest rates of obesity at 17.8 per cent.
* B.C. has the lowest rates of binge drinking with 15.7 per cent of British Columbians drinking more than five drinks on one occasion.
The Canadian Community Health Survey has been providing population-level information on health determinants, health status and health system use for 10 years. It builds on the latest Canadian Institute for Health
Information report released yesterday that confirms B.C. has the lowest obesity rates in the country.
Despite this, poor nutrition, along with physical inactivity and tobacco use, are the largest contributors to B.C.'s health care costs. The Province recently launched a comprehensive $68.7-million Healthy Families BC strategy to support British Columbians to continue to improve their health.
As part of this, the Ministry of Health's $24-million Prescription for Health program provides opportunities for British Columbians who smoke, are obese, are physically inactive or have unhealthy eating habits access to free-of-charge telephone-based lifestyle support services.
"Each time B.C. is recognized as a Canadian leader in healthy living and physical fitness, it's an achievement worth celebrating," said Minister of Health Michael de Jong in a news release. "But we can and must do more. It's critically important that all of us make the choice to eat more fruits and vegetables, to get regular exercise and to do what we can to stay healthy. B.C.'s Healthy Families strategy is helping families make healthy choices by giving them the tools they need to improve these results and make a lasting impact on our health care system."
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