You’ll never guess what these doctors are prescribing to kids
This morning, just like every other morning, I was reading the news on the web when I had to take an extra sip of coffee and wipe my glasses. The headline read: Quebec doctors prescribe more exercise.
This is an historic moment. Prevention prevails over treatment. Physical activity, not pills. Monkey bars more than medication.
Louis Godin, president of the Quebec Federation of General Practitioners explained: “We play a pivotal role in people’s health. We want them to live longer, to be in better shape and, most of all, keep them away from pills.”
On top of prescribing physical activity, physicians will promote one of the largest health events in the world: the Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie.
“Starting in September, Quebec’s 8,000 general practitioners will be able to prescribe participation in the Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie as a way to promote physical activity and healthy living,” said Godin.
The Grand Défi encourages Quebec children to be as active as possible during the month of May. For every 15 minutes of physical activity that they perform or encourage someone in their family to do, they earn an energy cube for their school.
In 2014, kids earned a total of 90,704,801 energy cubes.
I often tell my friends that they are role models for their kids, but these young Quebecers are the ones who are leading the way. They’re even inspiring doctors!
This could be one of the most important moments of 2015. A turning point in the health of Quebecers that, hopefully, will inspire the rest of the country.