News and press releases

Montreal, March 20, 2013 — The Health Challenge team is proud to announce that since March 1, nearly 160,000 people have taken on the 5/30 Health and Wellness Challenge. Up until April 11, participants aim to reach the following three goals:

• The 5 Goal: Eating at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables a day
• The 30 Goal: Getting active at least 30 minutes a day
• The Wellness Goal: Thinking about one’s strengths for increased wellness in life

Here are some highlights from the 9th annual Health Challenge:

• 159,311 participants are taking part in the 2013 Health Challenge. This year marks the greatest turnout since the campaign began in 2005, with a 5% increase in registrations compared with last year.
• Of these, 68,297 registered as a family—an increase of 22% compared with 2012.
• This year, the Health Challenge reached a major milestone of one million participants since it began in 2005!
• 362 municipalities and local communities are promoting the Health Challenge to families and residents in their areas, as well as providing them with support and guidance to help them succeed in the Challenge. The number of municipalities and local communities has increased by 42% compared with 2012.

“It’s so great to see even more Quebecers taking part in the Health Challenge this year,” says Dr. Johanne Blais, medical spokesperson for the Health Challenge and a contributor to ACTI-MENU, the social enterprise that started the Health Challenge. “What’s more, it’s really encouraging to see families getting involved, because healthy habits begin at home. As a physician, I applaud this free initiative that encourages so many people to eat better, be more active, and take care of themselves.”

“It’s the second year that I’ve taken part in the Health Challenge,” says lively TV host, actor, and campaign spokesperson Mélanie Maynard. “For my family and me, it’s an essential part of our March and April. We have a great time trying all the suggested family activities.”

Support

Current Health Challenge participants receive the following on an exclusive basis at no cost:

• The IGA Passport. Available at IGA, this handy tool has everything you need to reach the 5 Goal—tips, advice, and bonus vouchers for discounts and freebies.
• Motivational e-mails sent out once a week during the Health Challenge.
• Surprises from the Health Challenge team. They could be anything from memos to downloadable posters and will help families and teams stay on track and motivated for the full six weeks!

Participants also have unlimited access to a wealth of tools and information at HealthChallenge.ca and on our Facebook page (in French) (facebook.com/defisante). What’s more, participants are eligible to win one of the many prizes offered throughout the Health Challenge, including $5,000 worth of groceries, courtesy of IGA, and the Desjardins Family Prize of $5,000 in customized financial products.

Please note that anyone who would like more information can visit the Health Challenge website (HealthChallenge.ca) and Facebook page facebook.com/defisante) to get tips and advice on healthy living.

The Health Challenge depends on the valuable contributions of numerous players in the health network, its partners, and a wide support network that contributes to the largest public campaign for promoting healthy lifestyles in Quebec.

About the 5/30 Health and Wellness Challenge

Launched in 2005, the Health Challenge is a free annual campaign designed for Quebecers who want to improve their lifestyle habits. To date, more than one million people have participated in the Challenge. The campaign received the 2013 DUX award for the Public Vote category. The Health Challenge is an ACTI‐MENU initiative made possible through the support of Québec en Forme, in partnership with the Quebec government, the Canadian Cancer Society, and the Prends soin de toi program. It is presented in collaboration with IGA, Desjardins, TELUS Health Solutions, AstraZeneca, Becel, Danone, Evian, Bon Matin, Exceldor, and Oasis.

Since 2011, the Municipalities and Families Together for Healthy Children component aims to encourage healthy lifestyle choices among children by engaging and supporting Quebec municipalities, local communities, and families. It is made possible through the support of our partners: Québec en forme, Quebec’s Directions de santé publique des agences de la santé et des services sociaux, the Quebec government (the Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux; the Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport; and the Ministère des Affaires municipales, des Régions et de l’Occupation du territoire), and in collaboration with the Fédération québécoise des municipalités, the Union of Quebec Municipalities, Kino‐Québec, and the Réseau québécois de Villes et Villages en santé. To learn more, visit Healthchallenge.ca.

About ACTI‐MENU

ACTI‐MENU is a social enterprise owned by foundations associated with the Montreal Heart Institute, the Centre ÉPIC, and the Hôpital Maisonneuve‐Rosemont. Its mission is to help individuals take an active role in their health. Founded in 1988, ACTI-MENU is dedicated exclusively to promoting health and healthy lifestyles, as well as the prevention and management of chronic illnesses.

ACTI-MENU is behind well-known campaigns such as the 5/30 Health and Wellness Challenge, the Quit to Win! Challenge, and Smoke‐Free Family that are geared toward the general public, municipalities, and families. ACTI-MENU also implements health-promotion programs in the workplace and produces publications and other patient information tools for the clinical setting. For more information, visit actimenu.ca.