News and press releases

Montréal, March 1st, 2016 – Today marks the launch of the 12th edition of the Health Challenge. The campaign invites Quebecers to eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables every day, to get active at least 30 minutes a day, and to take a break for increased wellness in life. Registration is now open at HealthChallenge.ca. To start spring off right, this year the Health Challenge will take place form March 31 to May 11, 2016. This year’s spokesperson is the lively Anaïs Favron.

Anaïs, who can be heard every morning on Énergie 94.3 and stars in the upcoming series Les 12 travaux d’Anaïs on Canal Vie, invites Quebecers to join the movement to take charge of their health! “Maintaining healthy habits is very important to me despite my very hectic lifestyle, which can make it hard to stay on track,” she explains. “The Health Challenge is the perfect opportunity to take time for ourselves. The key is to make sure you have fun as we do it. If I can encourage people to integrate simple healthy habits into their daily lives and they do it with a smile and a spring in their step, then my mission is accomplished!”

The Challenge is more relevant than ever

Studies and surveys confirm: a significant portion of the population does not meet the recommendations associated with healthy habits.

• 54% of Quebecers aged 12 and over do not eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day
• 49% of Quebecers aged 12 and over are not active during their leisure time
• Over a quarter of Quebecers report experiencing high levels of everyday stress

Thus, the Health Challenge is a pertinent annual event to help Quebecers adopt healthy habits and improve their overall health, through a positive and accessible approach.

Keep an eye out for support tools and new features

The Health Challenge provides many tools to participants so they can easily meet their challenge, at their pace, and at minimal cost. By registering, they have access to an online account which includes a daily goal tracker, exercise videos, healthy menus, wellness breaks, tips from experts, etc. Also, nearly 570 municipalities and local communities are registered and will be organizing a host of activities to help citizens, particularly families, meet their challenge!

Because eating well starts in your shopping cart, the Health Challenge is proud to count IGA as a partner for over 10 years now. “The Health Challenge is directly aligned with our Joy of Eating Better movement. Our merchants are very proud to contribute to healthy eating habits by helping Quebecers reach their goals!” shares Marie-Noëlle Cano, director of communications and sustainable development at Sobeys Québec and a member of the board of directors of the Joy of Eating Better Foundation. The IGA Passport is back and bursting with quick and healthy recipes, tips, and discount vouchers applicable on the purchase of various products. Available free of charge at the 290 IGA stores, it’s the #1 tool to help participants reach the 5 Goal! And to increase motivation, participants have the chance to win nearly $20,000 in prizes, including groceries for 1 year at IGA.

Sun Life Financial joins the Health Challenge

It’s a proven fact that the prevention of chronic diseases begins with healthy habits. Eating well, being more active, and reducing stress are three ways to help prevent diabetes and its related complications, a cause Sun Life Financial is committed to across the country. This is why the company is proud to partner with the Health Challenge this year. “With this collaboration, we are reaffirming our commitment to combating diabetes. Promoting healthy habits throughout the entire province and informing Quebecers on ways to prevent diabetes through a special section on the Health Challenge website will hopefully contribute to reducing this 21st century epidemic. Diabetes already affects 830,000 Quebecers, with 250,000 unaware they have it,” states Robert Dumas, President of Sun Life Financial, Québec.

Register for the Health Challenge today at HealthChallenge.ca!

About the Health Challenge

Launched in 2005, the objective of the Health Challenge is to promote healthy habits. Since its creation, there have been over 1.3 million registrations. The Health Challenge is presented by IGA in collaboration with Sun Life Financial. It is made possible by the support and funding of Québec en Forme in partnership with the Directions régionales de santé publique and Québec’s Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux. This project is carried out in partnership with the TELUS Fund, Hydro-Québec, Uniprix, Becel, Oasis, Fontaine Santé, High Liner, Attitude Fraîche, ATHENTIKOS and Cardio Plein Air. To find out more, visit HealthChallenge.ca.