Canadians see link between nutrition and improving fitness

By Thida Ith, M.Sc., P.Dt.

Dietitians of Canada has just released the results of a new Ipsos Reid poll revealing that one half of Canadians admit their eating habits need ‘a lot of improvement’, but many are starting to get the message that optimum nutrition can improve their fitness.

In fact, the survey revealed that seven in 10 respondents (68 per cent) claimed to have made changes in their eating habits to improve their fitness level over the last year, including: eating better quality food (39 per cent), cutting out food with lower nutritional quality (26 per cent), adjusting food intake to match energy output (17 per cent), and eating less food overall (15 per cent).

The survey results underline the importance of this year’s theme of Dietitians of Canada’s National Nutrition Month - “Stay active. Eat like a Champion.” Readers can access healthy eating tips, practical food solutions, and fun and interactive tools at www.dietitians.ca/eatwell.

The majority of Canadians (91 per cent) also agree that when and what you eat can help you get the most from your workout. Similarly, 82 per cent believe that following Eating Well with Canada’s Food Guide helps you meet energy and nutrient needs to fuel an active lifestyle. Canadians also got it right with 81 per cent agreeing that you don’t need stimulants, or muscle building or weight loss supplements to get the most of your activity or to gain muscle or lose weight. Likewise, only 13 per cent agreed that ‘downing an energy drink on the way to the gym’ is the best way to keep energy levels up during a workout.

Many Canadians, however, are misinformed about hydration during physical activity. For example, 34 per cent of respondents strongly agree that ‘you need to drink as much water as you possibly can before, during and after exercise to perform your best’. The truth is, you should drink some fluids before, during and after exercise, but don’t overdo it. It’s important to bring water with you and sip it during your workout and drink some fluids afterwards to help your body replace fluids lost in sweat.

Dietitians of Canada is encouraging all Canadians to make healthy food choices to fuel their active lifestyles. Registered dietitians can provide a tailored eating plan that best suits your active lifestyle. You can find one near you online at www.dietitians.ca/find.

Survey methodology

These are the findings of an Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of Dietitians of Canada from December 9 to December 15, 2008.  This online survey of 1495 Canadians was conducted via the Ipsos I-Say Online Panel, Ipsos Reid's national online panel.  The results of this poll are based on a sample where quota sampling and weighting are employed to balance demographics and ensure that the sample's composition reflects that of the actual Canadian population according to Census data.  Quota samples with weighting from the Ipsos online panel provide results that are intended to approximate a probability sample.  Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online polls, however, an unweighted probability sample of this size, with a 100% response rate, would have an estimated margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had the entire adult population of Canada been polled.

 

Reproduced with permission from The Dietitians of Canada.  Visit www.dietitians.ca for more information on National Nutrition Month.