Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer cost the Canadian economy more than an estimated $55 billion every year. This represents the major and growing component of health care costs.

The most common chronic diseases include:

cardiovascular disease;
diabetes;
cancer;
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
asthma; and
mental illness (including depression, stress and anxiety).

There are, however, some activities that could help prevent or delay the onset of chronic disease. Here are several ways that individuals, families and communities, among others, can do their part to reduce their risk:

	Individuals eating more fruits and vegetables eating foods containing less fat quitting smoking
	Families watching less television going for walks or bike rides preparing and eating meals together
	Communities developing walking or biking trails promoting active and safe routes to schools developing community gardens sponsoring health fairs promoting community use of schools or shopping malls outside of operating hours
	Governments developing health promotion and disease prevention programs develop public policy, legislation, standards and guidelines to support chronic disease prevention

If you are concerned about your risk of developing a chronic disease, consult your physician or health care provider for more information.

A Report on the Weight Status of Manitoba Children

Manitoba Health and Healthy Living is developing a series of reports on the weight status, nutritional intake and physical activity levels of Manitobans. This first report focuses on the weight status of children across the province.

The purpose of this report is to describe the prevalence of healthy weights, overweight and/or obesity in children relative to their gender, age, place of residence, parental socio-economic status, aboriginal status and physical/sedentary activity levels. Current programs and policies related to healthy eating, physical activity and chronic disease prevention available at the provincial and regional health authority levels are summarized.

Subsequent reports will describe the weight status of adults across Manitoba and more detailed information about food intake of both children and adults. These reports are intended for managers, planners, professionals or researchers working in government, regional health authorities, universities and non-governmental organizations to assist in developing evidence-based programs and policies. This type of information has been identified as a departmental priority given that healthy eating, active living and chronic disease prevention are three components of healthy living.

A Report on the Weight Status of Manitoba Children 56 p.

Summary of the Weight Status of Manitoba Children Report 6 p.

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