Evidence Network

Neighbourhoods influence our health

Why doctors and urban planners need to work together to improve public health and prevent chronic disease Since John Snow mapped out the large cholera outbreak in 1854 to where people lived in London, it has been known that where we live, work and play strongly influences people’s health. The way that our cities and towns […]

Drawing on rich traditions to nourish our children

Indigenous peoples are “Inuwak,” Peoples of the Land. We have a spiritual relationship with our mother earth; our food is from the land and is intrinsically related to our cultural and spiritual way of life. Food not only nourishes us physically, it impacts our mental attitude and is an essential part of many of our […]

Grocery stores and Canadians are bulking up on ultra-processed foods

AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez Far too many products on store shelves are giving us lots of calories but little nutrition A version of this commentary appeared in the Toronto Star, Hamilton Spectator and Vancouver Province In the 1960s, the biggest supermarkets only carried 10,000 items or fewer. Big supermarkets today offer almost 40,000 products. To be sure, among […]

Eat more plants, less meat

Canada’s Food Guide revamp is good for people and the planet   What is a healthy diet? New Year’s diet conversations still abound around water coolers Canada-wide as people debate the various merits and shortcomings of sugar, gluten, meat, dairy, tofu and other edibles.  Scientific articles, shiny celebrities and representatives of various groups who produce, […]

In the fight for kids’ attention, parents don’t stand a chance

New study shows Canadian kids see more than 25 million online food and beverage ads a year — mostly for junk food A version of this commentary appeared in Policy Options, the Hamilton Spectator and the Waterloo Region Record Dear Parents, I’m writing you because you may be in the dark about the amount of unhealthy […]