'Mono in Motion' promotes an active lifestyle

With a substantial increase in childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes, area municipalities are working together to create a physical activity plan.

The plan is called In Motion and was created by the Saskatoon Regional Health Authority to get people more active.

The Town of Mono and The Town of Orangeville partnered together with Wellington County and the City of Guelph to bring the program to the local region by forming Wellington-Dufferin Guelph (WDG) In Motion. The Guelph YM/YWCA, the University of Guelph and the Wellington Dufferin Health Unit have joined the program as well.

Together Mono, Orangeville and Wellington have provided $52,000 in funding for the local program, most of which is grant money from the Ministry of Health Promotion's Communities in Action Fund (CIAF).

In WDG 46 per cent of males and 43 per cent of females are inactive according to a WDG Health Status Report conducted in May 2006. As well, 54 per cent of men and 44 per cent of females are overweight or obese and less than half the population over the age of 15 get sufficient activity during their leisure time to support optimal health.

People who are obese are three times more likely, than people with a healthy weight, to have abnormal blood lipid levels, type 2 diabetes, gall bladder disease and breathing problems.

To make more people aware of the plan, the Town of Mono is holding a Mono In Motion day on Sunday, June 10 at Monora Park starting at 1 p.m.

Kim Perryman, Director of Parks and Recreation for the Town said it's a day for children and adults to learn how to have fun and be active without having to spend a lot of money. She said the Town is committed to providing a healthy lifestyle for residents.

The three-hour event will consist of various backyard games, such as lawn bowling, large group games for 15 to 20 people, such as capture the flag, and larger group games with 25 people per team. There will also be a tots area with a sandbox and games. Various groups will be at the event so residents can learn more about them. Representatives from the tennis club, the hiking club, the ski club and the cycling club will be there as well as others.

"We're just giving people ideas of things they can do," said Mr. Perryman.

Before the event local people involved with In Motion will be going into some area schools to let them know about the day and to get them excited about it through a gym "riot".

"It's [Mono In Motion] an educational day to help parents realize what they can do with their kids to keep active," said Ross Martin, a member of the Mono Recreation Advisory Committee.

The Town of Orangeville is challenging its residents to either walk/bike a trail or play in one of the parks during the month of June, as it is Parks and Recreation Month. Mayor Rob Adams said residents can let the Town know if they did this through the Town website.

The official launch day for WDG In Motion is October 3, the same day as World Record Walk Day.