Qubec en Forme

1) Category:
Other (organization)

2) Issues:
Studies show that one out of five young Quebecers is overweight mainly because of a diet that consists of too much sugar and fat and insufficient amounts of fruits and vegetables (MELS, 2007). A study conducted in 2003 showed that only 44% of Quebecers age 12 to 17 get the recommended amount of daily physical activity (equivalent of at least one hour per day).

3) Objectives:
Help to foster the adoption and maintenance of proper nutrition and a physically active lifestyle by young Quebecers by supporting local community mobilization projects.

4) Environment:
Communities (CPEs, municipalities, community recreational centres, community organizations, CSSSs) Primary and secondary schools

5) Target Group:
Young people from 0 to 17 years old

6) Key Words:
Qubec en Forme, curaction, school-family-community partnership, approach, academic success, physical activity, health, healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition, community mobilization, Fondation Lucie et Andr Chagnon, disadvantaged community, positive environments

7) Description:
Qubec en Forme (QEF) is an organization that encourages young people to have a healthy and active lifestyle. It was founded in 2002 through a partnership agreement between Fondation Lucie et Andr Chagnon and the Government of Qubec.

This factsheet was taken from the following website: http://rire.ctreq.qc.ca/.

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Three primary principles underpin the action of this organization: o The importance of investing in the determinants of health; o The need for comprehensive approaches that combine several strategies; o The importance of empowering individuals and society as a whole in terms of health and well-being.

In 2007, the Government of Qubec announced the creation of a fund stemming from the 2006-2012 government action plan to promote healthy lifestyles and the prevention of weight-related problems ( Investir pour l'avenir ), leading in turn to a partnership that comes with $400 million over ten years in matched funding from the Government of Qubec and Fondation Lucie et Andr Chagnon. The monies are managed by the Socit de gestion du Fonds, which oversees achievement of the funds objectives through two broad areas of action: health promotion projects (25%) and support for local community mobilization projects (75%). Under its new mandate, QEF therefore established mechanisms for: o encouraging community partners to mobilize, draft and submit projects; o analyzing the projects proposed and ensuring support and follow-up for the projects selected.

As at April 2010, QEF backed 110 local community projects across Qubec via two formats: funding of an annual action plan, and human resource support (regional team consisting of a Regional Officer and Development Officer). When fully deployed, QEF will support nearly 170 communities.

8) Steps:
I. II. III. IV. Draft a portrait and conduct an assessment of the communitys healthy lifestyles and determine priorities in this respect. Produce a strategic plan and an annual action plan that ties in with these priorities. Submit the plan to QEF for analysis. QEF offers support and follow-up for the projects selected.

9) Activities/Actions:
The values advocated by QEF, namely, respect, rigor, transparency, flexibility, innovation, collaboration and consistency, undergird its planning, interaction with its partners, and implementation of its actions. These values express its philosophy geared to its role as a promoter in order to enhance the effectiveness of the resources employed and to ensure sustainable action. Here are a few examples of the kinds of activities made possible by the organization: o In a number of schools in underprivileged districts, QEF provides the educators and material required for extra periods of physical education. Activities are also organized for after school and at lunch time (Capitale nationale). o In the Saint-Paul district of Trois-Rivires, there was a skating rink but few skaters because the children did not have skates. The principal of Saint-Paul school contacted La dmarche des premiers quartiers and Comsep (two community organizations) so that families that could not afford skates could borrow them (Mauricie). o As of 7:25 a.m., the school is open so that children can get in some sports (soccer, basketball, handball and Chinese dodge ball) and have a healthy snack before classes begin (Capitale nationale).

This factsheet was taken from the following website: http://rire.ctreq.qc.ca/.

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o A project to foster parent participation in healthy and active lifestyle projects is offered at nine primary and secondary schools. It enables children and families throughout the region to have access to an array of activities. The project has a twofold purposeexert a positive influence on children, and advise the community (Chaudire-Appalaches). o The Regroupement de partenaires de l'Abitibi Est joined forces with Carrefour jeunesse emploi for an unconventional partnership that provides young people with expanded access to school sports facilities after school hours. The project was aimed at promoting physical activity and curbing dropping out (Abtibi-Tmiscamingue).

10) Resources Required:

Human resources: o QEF personnel (Director General, District Director, Development Officers, group members, others involved in the projects) o Partners (schools, health services, social services, municipalities, community organizations, etc.) Financial resources: o Disadvantaged communities are given priority for QEF funding.

11) Roles of the Participants:

Director General: o manages the organization. District Director: o supervises the regional teams. Development Officers: o help applicants draft an action plan and follow-up on it. Partner groups: o produce and implement a strategic plan and an annual action plan for healthy lifestyles. Coordinators (Planning Officer): o help the partner groups implement their action plan. Other participants (nutritionist, kinesiologist, etc.): o contribute their expertise; o supervise the activities.

12) Scientific Basis or Validity:

QEF has access to the expertise of university researchers through research agreements. There are five research themes: (1) partnership, (2) physical condition, (3) psychomotricity, (4) psychosociology and special education and (5) leadership. For further information, go to http://www.quebecenforme.org/evaluation_recherche/activites_recherche/. [in French only]

This factsheet was taken from the following website: http://rire.ctreq.qc.ca/.

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The mandate of the QEF is in keeping with the recommendations of the World Health Organization, which posits that initiatives from and for local communities and groups are most likely to encourage physical activity. The Framework document is at http://www.quebecenforme.org/docs/i_sites/portail/233_steps_health.pdf. [in French only] While few studies clearly establish a link between physical activity, proper nutrition and academic success, there are key factors common to student success, health and wellbeing, e.g. self-esteem, social skills, healthy habits, safe behaviors, positive environments and the presence of preventive services (MELS, Going the Healthy Route at School). QEF has access to two university studies on psychomotor education and the quality of interventions.

13) Material:
Website: www.quebecenforme.org (A link to the QEF website in every region of Qubec is also available.) [in French only] Plan stratgique 2007-2012 [in French only]

14) Additional Information:

In 2009, QEF was active in over 700 schools, in collaboration with nearly 1500 local partners. More than 305,000 children participated. The information contained in this factsheet was taken from interviews with Isabelle Guy, Mauricie Development Officer, and from: o http://www.quebecenforme.org/docs/i_sites/portail/553_rapport_annuel_2008_200 9_version_web.pdf; o http://www.quebecenforme.org.

15) Contacts:
Qubec en Forme 1075, rue Champflour Trois-Rivires (Qubec) G9A 2A1 Tel.: (819) 370-6688 Toll-free: 1(866) 370-6688 Email: info@quebecenforme.org List of officers by region: http://www.quebecenforme.org/contactez-nous/

This factsheet was taken from the following website: http://rire.ctreq.qc.ca/.

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