Heart Disease Cardiovascular disease continues to be the leading cause of death. The potential for changes in dietary habits to reduce the incidence of heart disease is enormous. For the individual, dietary changes cannot guarantee freedom from heart disease but will lower the risk. (Reference p13, Nutrition Recommendations, Health and Welfare Canada, 1990)
Cancer Cancer is the second leading cause of death among Canadians. It is estimated that 35% of cancer deaths in the US may be related to dietary factors. (Reference p13, Nutrition Recommendations, Health and Welfare Canada, 1990). A diet low in total and saturated fat, high in plant foods and low in alcohol, salted and pickled foods is consistent with a low risk of the major cancers. (Reference p28, Nutrition Services in Manitoba, Manitoba Health, 1994)
Obesity Forty percent of adults in Manitoba have a weight (body mass index) associated with health risk. More than 50% of middle-aged men are overweight and even in the 18-34 year age group where obesity is least common, it still nearly affects one in three people. (Reference p 23, Nutrition Services in Manitoba, Manitoba Health, 1994)
Low Birth Weight Babies The health consequences of low birth weight can be enormous.The estimated cost of caring for one low birth weight infant until age 2 was $200,000. This does not include health and social costs that occur over a lifetime with disabilities or special needs (British Columbia Ministry of Health, 1993 and 1994). Programs in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver have been successful in promoting better health practises among high-risk parents. (Reference p 43, Nutrition Services in Manitoba, Manitoba Health, 1994)
Hunger At School "If kid's don't eat, they can't learn". School staff report that adequate nutrition is important to improvements in health, academic performance, happiness and well-being, readiness for learning and behaviour in the classroom and on the playground. (British Columbia Ministry of Education, 1994) (Reference p 46, Nutrition Services in Manitoba, Manitoba Health, 1994)
One study indicated that few students ate a balanced meal for lunch. One in three students ate a lunch that consisted only of french fries or some other food with a low nutrient density (eg soft drinks, candy bars). 75% of students ate lunches with only one or two food groups. Only 5% of students ate a lunch in which all 4 food groups were represented. (Fitzin Program, Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba) (Reference p 21, Nutrition Services in Manitoba, Manitoba Health, 1994)
Communities at Risk Poverty is a barrier to nutritional health and nutritional deficiencies have been measured in some northern aboriginal communities. Iron deficiencies affecting 40% of children aged 1-4, Vitamin D deficiency, low Vitamin A intake for 50% of preschool children and inadequate calcium intake for 40% of children have been recorded in northern Manitoba communities. Furthermore 50% of pregnant women did not meet the Recommended Nutrient Intake for energy and 75% did not meet Recommended Nutrient Intake for folate. (Reference p 21-22, Nutrition Services in Manitoba, Manitoba Health, 1994)
Seniors' Wellness Studies indicate that nutrition is the single best indicator of the number of physician visits, emergency room visits and the frequency of hospitalization of seniors. (Reference p 47, Nutrition Services in Manitoba, Manitoba Health, 1994)