What do overweight men between the ages of 35 and 65 who root for the Victoria Royals have in common?
They qualify for Hockey Fans In Training, (Hockey FIT), a three-month, off-ice healthy lifestyle program thatB次元官网网址檚 free for eligible participants as part of a federally-funded research study. The national program partners with local hockey teams, in this case, the Victoria Royals, in an innovative way to get fans involved in achieving a healthier lifestyle through weight loss and better living habits.
B次元官网网址淪eventy per cent of Canadian men aged 35 to 65 are considered overweight or obese,B次元官网网址� said Brendan Riggins, a scientist with the Centre of Studies in Family Medicine at Western University and head coach of the Hockey FIT program. The percentage of women considered overweight or obese is 46 per cent, compared to a rate of 62 per cent for men overall. Men also live four years less than women, on average, and are at a greater risk of getting diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
B次元官网网址淭hat puts a cost of $37 billion a year on our health care system, and 70 per cent of those costs are preventable.B次元官网网址�
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Research by Dr. Robert Petralla, a family physician and principal investigator with the Hockey FIT team, underlined the difficulties in getting men to participate in healthy lifestyle programs. Petrella is also head of family medicine at the University of British Columbia. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 tough to get them involved in the health care system,B次元官网网址� Riggins noted.
B次元官网网址淥ften itB次元官网网址檚 not until thereB次元官网网址檚 a health scare. ThatB次元官网网址檚 why we developed this innovative program.ThereB次元官网网址檚 not many like this out there that incorporates their passion for their local hockey team to get guys to be more active and eat better.B次元官网网址�
The program involves 12 weekly sessions of 90 minutes duration that are conducted at the partnering teamB次元官网网址檚 facilities.B次元官网网址漈he partnership with local teams is unique,B次元官网网址� Riggins said. Personnel from the host team including players, coaches and trainers are involved in some of the sessions. B次元官网网址淭he venue and the exclusive behind the scenes access is a great draw.B次元官网网址�
Darren Parker, vice-president of sales and marketing for the Victoria Royals, a Western Hockey League team, said the organization welcomes the opportunity.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e very excited about being involved in the program,B次元官网网址� Parker said. B次元官网网址淔itness is a large part of the industry weB次元官网网址檙e in, and this will have benefits that extend into the community. ItB次元官网网址檚 a very cool initiative, and we want to show our support by involving Royals personnel.B次元官网网址�
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The results of a pilot project that partnered with the Windsor Spitfires and London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League showed the program works, Riggins said.
B次元官网网址淕uys lost an average of 10 pounds in 12 weeks. WhatB次元官网网址檚 most encouraging is that they maintained the weight loss and showed improvements in other health-related areas like blood pressure in follow-ups nine months after they completed the program.B次元官网网址�
Funding is provided by the Public Health Agency of Canada and Canadian Institutes of Research.
B次元官网网址淭hey made it possible to offer it for free across the country,B次元官网网址� Riggins said. B次元官网网址淲e couldnB次元官网网址檛 have done any of this without them.B次元官网网址�
Riggins is asked frequently about a similar program for women hockey fans. B次元官网网址淲e are absolutely developing something for women,B次元官网网址� he added, although the timeline has not yet been established.
The deadline for men to register is April 15. Visit to register or for more information, and for tips on better living.
rick.stiebel@goldstreamgazette.com
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