SummerActive 2008 Media Lines and Key Messages

The following are media lines and key messages for use by community leaders and journalists to spread the word about SummerActive.

If you’re a community leader, use them when working with the media. If you’re a journalist, use them to prepare your story about SummerActive 2008.
About Summer Active:

• The summer months are an ideal time to do more of the healthy activities Canadians already enjoy and try new ones. So, Get up, Go out and Be SummerActive!
• SummerActive is an initiative led by the Government of Canada in collaboration with the Provincial and Territorial Governments. It is designed to encourage Canadians to adopt healthier lifestyles, including participating in physical and sport activities, making healthier food choices and living tobacco-free.
• SummerActive 2008 runs from May 8th to June 20th. The official SummerActive website at www.summeractive.ca allows Canadians to search for SummerActive events in their communities. They can also download tips, tools and resources on how to participate in physical and sport activities, make healthier food choices and live smoke-free.
• The SummerActive website also provides tools and resources for community leaders and individual Canadians to register and promote the SummerActive events they are organizing.  Event organisers and individuals who register their participation in SummerActive events are all eligible to win great prizes!
• As part of SummerActive, a number of tools are available to help Canadians improve and maintain good health, including Canada’s Physical Activity Guides (www.paguide.com), Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide (www.healthcanada.gc.ca/foodguide), information and support to help you quit smoking (www.gosmokefree.ca) and information on sport participation (www.pch.gc.ca/progs/sc/index_e.cfm).

About the 3 Keys to a Healthy Lifestyle: Physical Activity, Healthy Eating and Living Smoke-Free

• For a child, regular physical activity, healthy food choices and living smoke-free are essential for optimal growth and development.
• For an older person, physical activity, healthy food choices and other healthy behaviours like avoiding tobacco products not only help improve and maintain health, but can prolong independent living in later life.
• Evidence shows that by being physically active, eating healthy and living smoke free can help reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes and cancer.
• Physical activity is not only important for maintaining a healthy weight, but can contribute to mental health and well being and may help reduce the chances you will smoke.