Healthy, active lifestyles are a way of life that incorporates regular physical activities and a balanced diet to maintain or improve physical and mental health. This typically involves exercises such as walking, running, cycling, swimming, and other recreational activities combined with a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and minimally processed foods.
Promoting such lifestyles in New Brunswick is paramount. With rising health concerns like obesity and heart-related diseases, encouraging a healthy, active lifestyle can significantly mitigate these health issues. It also fosters community engagement, reduces healthcare costs, and boosts the overall well-being of residents.
New Brunswick’s Journey towards Active Living
New Brunswick has a profound history of endorsing active living, largely influenced by its diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage. From the indigenous people’s traditional activities to the recent community endeavours, New Brunswick has always been inclined towards outdoor activities.
One of the crown jewels of New Brunswick, the Fundy National Park, with its breathtaking landscapes and myriad of trails, has always been a beacon for those seeking an active lifestyle. This park not only provides a venue for physical activities but also connects individuals with nature, emphasizing the mental wellness aspect of active living.
Initiatives and Organizations Promoting Healthy, Active Lifestyles
HEPAC
HEPAC (Healthy Eating Physical Activity Coalition of New Brunswick) is a coalition dedicated to promoting healthy eating and physical activities in New Brunswick. Their aim is to create a supportive environment where residents can easily make healthy choices.
Webinars: HEPAC regularly conducts webinars to spread awareness. The webinar evaluation survey is a testament to their dedication as it gauges the effectiveness of these sessions and gathers feedback for improvement.
Contribution: HEPAC plays an instrumental role in fostering active transport and creating a conducive built environment in New Brunswick. Their events and campaigns are geared towards making active living an accessible choice for everyone.
Nourish NB
Nourish NB is an organization that champions the cause of healthy eating. Their mission revolves around ensuring every New Brunswicker has access to nutritious and wholesome food.
Programs: Through various initiatives, they encourage residents to adopt healthy eating habits. They emphasize the importance of understanding nutrition and making informed food choices.
Resources and Partnerships: With tools like eatracker and collaborations with organizations such as the New Brunswick Association of Dietitians, Nourish NB provides valuable resources to the community.
Active Healthy Kids Canada
This organization is devoted to elevating the physical activity levels of children in New Brunswick.
Collaborations: Their association with the NB Medical Society showcases their comprehensive approach, focusing not only on physical but also on overall health.
Activities: They emphasize the importance of simple games, presenting a list of best pocket games that are not only fun but also contribute to kids’ physical development.
Atlantic Recreation
Atlantic Recreation, through its various programs and events, underscores the importance of sports and physical activities in leading a healthy lifestyle.
Partnerships: Collaborations with Halifax Regional Library tumble books and Nashwaaksis Library reiterate the importance of holistic health, integrating physical activity with health-related readings.
NB Parks and Recreation
Parks are the heart and soul of active living in any community. They offer spaces for recreational activities, community events, and connect individuals with nature.
NB Trail: The NB trail is more than just a path – it’s an invitation for residents to walk, run, cycle, and embrace an active lifestyle. Spanning across various terrains, it’s a testament to New Brunswick’s commitment to promoting physical activity.
Popular Parks and Offerings: New Brunswick’s provincial parks are teeming with opportunities for active living. From Fundy Park camping to nature walks, there’s something for everyone. The Fundy National Park Saltwater Pool stands out as a unique feature, promoting both recreation and physical activity.
The Importance of Built Environment
The built environment refers to the man-made surroundings that provide the setting for human activity, including buildings, parks, and transportation systems. This environment plays a pivotal role in influencing our physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life.
A well-designed built environment encourages physical activity by providing safe and accessible spaces for walking, cycling, and other forms of recreation. In contrast, a poorly designed environment can hinder active lifestyles by lacking safe pedestrian pathways, parks, and recreational areas.
Role of Active Transport in the Built Environment
Active transport involves human-powered forms of transportation like walking and cycling. A conducive built environment promotes active transport by integrating bike lanes, pedestrian-friendly zones, and efficient public transit systems. These not only reduce vehicular traffic but also boost the health of the residents.
New Brunswick’s Initiatives
New Brunswick recognizes the significance of a well-structured built environment. Through initiatives such as developing community parks, improving pedestrian zones, and endorsing active transport, the province is paving the way for a healthier, more active community.
Additional Programs and Offerings
Various programs like “Bring it Out,” “Take it Off,” and “Eatracker” are instrumental in promoting health and wellness. While the specifics of each program vary, they predominantly focus on aspects like nutrition, physical activity, and mental health.
The outdoors card NB is a testament to New Brunswick’s commitment to promoting outdoor activities providing residents with access to various recreational facilities. Similarly, the NB health card ensures that residents have access to essential health services, further promoting overall well-being.
Kent Food Bank
Nutrition is the cornerstone of health. Kent Food Bank plays a crucial role in ensuring that even the underprivileged get access to nutritious food, emphasizing the province’s commitment to holistic health.
Interesting Facts
- New Brunswick stands proudly among the top provinces in Canada endorsing active living, a testimony to its relentless efforts and initiatives.
- From kayaking in the Bay of Fundy to hiking in the Appalachian range, New Brunswick offers a plethora of unique active living opportunities that are hard to find elsewhere.
- The province’s diverse climate and geography, ranging from coastal areas to dense forests, provide varied opportunities for seasonal activities, from winter sports to summer hikes, making active living a year-round possibility.
FAQ
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What is the NB Outdoors card, and how is it beneficial?
The NB Outdoors card is a pass that facilitates access to a myriad of recreational activities in New Brunswick. It not only promotes physical activity but also connects residents with nature.
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How does the built environment approach influence healthy, active lifestyles?
The built environment can either promote or hinder physical activity. Safe pedestrian pathways, parks, and recreational areas encourage active living, while their absence can deter residents from pursuing an active lifestyle.
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How has Nourish NB changed the dietary habits of New Brunswick residents?
Through awareness campaigns, resources like eatracker, and collaborations, Nourish NB has educated residents about nutrition, leading to healthier food choices.