Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to all of our presenters as we study this important topic.
With regard to the pediatric association, I was just reading that there is also the International Journal of Pediatric Obesity, which outlines and perhaps points to the significance of obesity in children. By 2010, half of all the children and adolescents in North America will be overweight.
I don't know if you've had a chance to see it, but in the July issue of Maclean's magazine there was quite an interesting article, called “Fixing Generation XXL”. Among the innovations and entrepreneurial ideas, an individual has come up with a school out in California called the Academy of the Sierras. It charges $5,800 per child, per month, to encourage and promote good eating habits and also weight loss. In this article--perhaps the chair could distribute it--a number of children who have actually gone through the program are interviewed.
I don't know if you're familiar with the program, but if so, perhaps you would comment on it.
Touching on William's point, what do you think the role of government, the role of stakeholders, and the role of health care professionals should be in moving forward and addressing the issue of obesity? By the end of our study of this important topic, we're going to have to put together a series of recommendations. Perhaps you could provide some insight and your perspective on what that role should be, and also comment on this innovative idea of the school that's opened up at $5,800 a month.