NORTHERN SASKATCHEWAN IS ON THE MOVE DURING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY WEEK

Northern Saskatchewan is on the move during Northern Physical Activity Week from May 2nd to 8th.

"This week-long physical activity challenge in northern Saskatchewan focuses on encouraging people to try new activities and to make regular physical activity an important part of their daily lives," Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Joan Beatty said. "Increasing physical activity levels of northerners is important to ensuring the health and well-being of our people, especially since diabetes, heart disease, cancer and stroke are on the rise in northern communities."

The Northern Physical Activity Week is a week-long event in 57 communities across northern Saskatchewan. Participants have log sheets and record their physical activity to earn points.

To celebrate active healthy living for Saskatchewan's Centennial, the planning committee has also developed the 100-Mile Centennial Walking Challenge. The challenge is for northerners to walk 100 miles between May 9th and October 2nd.

This is the third annual Northern Physical Activity Week, which is sponsored by the Northern Healthy Communities Partnership, previously known as the Northern Diabetes Prevention Coalition. Program information and additional physical activity resources can be found on their website at www.diabetes.kcdc.ca.

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For More Information, Contact:

Janet Peters Culture, Youth and Recreation Regina Phone: (306) 787-4967

Sharalyn Reitlo Northern Physical Activity Week Co-ordinator Pierceland Phone: (306) 839-4665