Communicating about Healthy Eating and Regular Physical Activity

 

Health Unit staff and Healthy Living Partnership partners organized two communication campaigns in 2005 to promote healthy eating and regular physical activity.

 

“Unlock your colours”

One way that Ontario Health Units work to prevent chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease is to get people eating more vegetables and fruits. In 2005 we used materials from the 5 to 10 a day campaign by the Canadian Cancer Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. This campaign talks about why and how to eat five to ten servings of vegetables and fruits each day.

 

The communication campaign involved radio and newspaper advertisements, and distributing magnetized pads of shopping lists and the booklet, Unlock Your Colours. We distributed 5,000 pads and booklets with the help of grocery stores throughout Renfrew County. Many people commented that they enjoyed and used the 5 to 10 a day materials.

 

Explore the Ottawa Valley

Health Units are mandated to work with recreation departments and other organizations to promote and increase access to regular physical activity. This includes assisting community partners to increase the availability of recreational opportunities such as walking trails and cycling routes.

 

http://www.valleyexplore.com/ is a web site with descriptions of walking, biking and cross country ski trails, canoeing routes and waterfall walks. The Health Unit assisted with publishing a book with all of the routes from the web site. We distributed the book to municipal recreation committees, libraries, schools, community events and by request.