Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Residents encouraged to “Get Moving” in celebration of Ottawa Health Day
Ottawa - Today, Mayor Jim Watson proclaimed the second annual Ottawa Health Day and to mark the occasion, Ottawa Public Health (OPH) is promoting active living by encouraging residents, communities, schools and workplaces to “Get Moving”.
“I would encourage all Ottawa residents to incorporate physical activity into their daily lives,” said Mayor Jim Watson. “Adopting active transportation choices, such as walking and cycling, are some of the many great ways to be healthy and active every day.”
Councillor Katherine Hobbs, Ottawa Board of Health member, recently gave up her car in favour of public and active transportation. “I am proud to promote active transportation, especially during Ottawa Health Day, when we are asking the community to get moving and be active,” said Councillor Hobbs. “Active transportation is efficient, low-cost, reliable and healthy.”
This morning, Ottawa Public Health was at Elmdale Public School to show how easy and fun it can be to incorporate physical activity in your daily routine. "We had a habit of walking everywhere locally, so it seemed natural we would walk to school," says Bonnie Seshadri, who has three school-aged daughters. "The walk gives us time to breathe and relax before a busy day. It gives us time to chat about things we don't otherwise have time forand, as my daughter Maya puts it, 'we get to breathe in fresh air, instead of stale air in a car!'."
During Ottawa Health Day – an idea proposed to Councillor Bob Monette last year by Sarah Horton, a high school student from Orléans – OPH will encourage residents to participate in all types of physical activities, such as walking, dancing, running and cycling.
“We are asking residents to share with us how they are getting active and to register their activity at ottawa.ca/health,” said Dr. Isra Levy, Medical Officer of Health. “This is a great way for friends and strangers to come together and be proud of their active living accomplishments.”
Stories of residents getting active and the running total of minutes that residents are active will be promoted on ottawa.ca/health and on OPH’s blog, Facebook and Twitter. Residents are encouraged to send OPH your stories.
For more information about Ottawa Health Day, visit ottawa.ca/health or call 613-580-6744 (TTY: 613-580-9656). You can also connect with OPH on Facebook and Twitter (@ottawahealth).
|