StrongSmart Programs for North Vancouver families
Jauary 28, 2009
Officials in North Vancouver welconme the official opening of StrongStart BC early learning centres at Lynnmour and Eastview Elementary schools.  “StrongStart BC centres are making a difference all across the province,” said MLA Daniel Jarvis. “These new centres will provide families with preschool-aged children in our community with more places to go that offer rich learning environments for young learners.”
 
StrongStart BC is a free drop-in early learning program for preschool-aged children accompanied by a parent or caregiver. A qualified early childhood educator leads activities, including stories, music, and arts, to help children grow linguistically, emotionally and socially, and become comfortable in a school-like setting.

Study to help BC families shake the salt habit
January 26, 2009
Greater Vancouver parents are always concerned about a healthy diet for their children and sodium is always high on ingredients of most processed foods.  Dieticians of Canada announce that Researchers at the University of Alberta are now investigating Canadians’ understanding of salt, salt intake, and their willingness to reduce their intake of salt, with the support of a grant from the Canadian Foundation for Dietetic Research (CFDR).

Although it's well known that excess sodium contributes to many serious health risks, BC families are reluctant to shake the salt habit. Current food intake surveys suggest that Canadians eat more than twice the amount of sodium required for good health.  Mary Polak, B.C.’s Minister of Healthy Living states, “By making simple, healthy choices to reduce our daily intake of sodium, we can lower our risks of heart disease and hypertension,” The grant for nearly $50,000 is awarded to investigate the state of knowledge in dietary sodium intake in Canada. The award is a collaborative project between CFDR and the British Columbia Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport.