CUMBERLAND COLLEGE HOSTS WELLNESS CLINIC

Cumberland Regional College put on a wellness fair, May 7 at the
Nipawin Evergreen Centre. The wellness clinic was a mandatory event,
which was open to all students in the Adult Basic Education program
at the college.

The wellness fair, which ran from 10 to 3., kicked off with a
presentation from Jessica Chorney, registered dietician with the
KTHR, on nutrition. Her presentation included information on the
Canada Food Guide, portions, the "plate method," label reading and
"other" foods, which include sodas, and junk foods.

She also had copies of the Canada Food Guide available.

Obesity has become higher over the last 20 to 50 years, mainly
because people are consuming more and consuming more of the wrong
foods. There seems to be increased foods available and due to busier
lifestyles more and more people are turning to fast foods for
convenience. Also, increased portion sizes, and increased variety of
bad foods and meal skipping have also become more common.

Each year $11 billion is spent on ads targeting youth. Of that 34 per
cent of ads were for candy and snacks and 29 per cent were targeted at cereals.

Whether we realize it or not the average person makes decisions about
food about 250 times a day. Chorney said we could eat up to 20 per
cent more or less depending on whom you decide to dine with. If
you're sitting at a table with people who aren't eating much, chances
are you won't either.

A lot of our eating comes from mindless eating, which means we
continue to clear our plates of food even if we are full.

To be a healthier all around eater, consumers are recommended to
limit fats, cholesterol, sodium, sugars, and eat more fibre,
vitamins, calcium and iron. Five per cent or less of any of these
items means it's low and anything 20 per cent of more means its high.
A high intake of fibre is recommended because it keeps you full longer.

Chorney also did a fat demonstration, showing various fast food items
and the fat content that was in each.

Following a brief break, Nipawin RCMP Const. Andy Frisk was in to
talk to the students about drugs and gangs that were present around Nipawin

He said there is definitely drugs present in Nipawin and they are
currently doing everything they can to get a handle on the problem.
He said the majority of drugs in the community were marijuana,
prescription drugs like morphine, cocaine, ecstasy and meth.

He said drugs tend to lead to violence, abuse and theft to support addictions.

Marijuana is the most common street drug in Nipawin, but is also
considered a gateway drug to harder drugs in the future.

He said there has been various drug busts in Nipawin, and they have
found marijuana grow operations in the area.

Frisk said the harder drugs like ecstasy and cocaine are coming from
larger centres, but local suppliers tend to deal a wide variety of drugs.

Frisk said that there wasn't a huge gang problem in Nipawin, however
organized crime is present here, which means three or more people get
together and plan a crime.

He said gangs are something the RCMP watch very closely.

Following a free lunch a presentation on FAS/FASD was held as well as
a presentation on harm reduction. The last presentation of the day
was on diabetes.

The session was very informative to those who have an addiction or
for those who have a family member who is an addict, those who belong
to a gang, have been diagnosed with diabetes, those who have or know
someone with FASD and those who live in a community where drugs,
alcohol, violence and diabetes exist.

Other presenters included Barb Bowditch and Joanne Yakowec.