Reading, writing and health

In Canada, as in most industrialized nations, the non-communicable chronic diseases--heart disease, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases--remain the leading causes of death and disability. And we know why. Large-scale epidemiological, clinical and laboratory investigations have identified major risk factors associated with the development of chronic diseases. Many of these risk factors, such as a sedentary lifestyle, a high-fat diet and smoking, are the result of habits developed early in life. Therefore, our efforts to prevent chronic diseases must also begin early in life. What better way to reach Canadian children than through our schools?