Congratulations to the fittest member of our clan, one Liam Higgins, who proudly represented Chain Reaction Cycling (although he never mentioned us in the article) in the Windsor Star. Liam accurately portrayed what it takes to be a member of CRC, off-biking workouts and beers...
We’re heavier, drink more ... but are happier: survey
Windsor-Essex residents more prone to disease
Windsor and Essex County residents tend to be more overweight, more prone to disease, heavier smoking and harder drinking than the average Ontarian.
And we’re slightly shorter-lived.
But at least we’re smiling: We’re a tiny bit ahead of the provincial curve when it comes to our estimations of our mental health.
The figures can be found in the June 2012 regional health profiles that Statistics Canada released on Tuesday as part of the results of its annual Canadian Community Health Survey.
Data for our area is organized under two profiles: One for the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit and the other for the Erie St. Clair Health Integration Network.
In both profiles, more than 61 per cent of the region’s residents are identified as overweight or obese — compared to an Ontario average of 52 per cent.
Both profiles also show higher-than-average rates for arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke and cancer.
At least 22 per cent of us are current smokers (daily or occasional), compared to an Ontario-wide figure of 18.9 per cent.
When it comes to heavy drinkers, the Erie St. Clair LHIN tallied 19.8 per cent of residents and the WECHU tallied 20.6 per cent of residents. The provincial average is 15.9 per cent.
A local health and fitness club is hoping they have the secret to draw in residents from the region. Ever since Windsor Squash and Fitness opened in 1973, they’ve served alcohol in addition to snacks and other beverages.
“It’s just an overall atmosphere thing. We like to make people as comfortable here and if that means you play squash with your buds for an hour then feel like sitting down to have a Bud, than I guess we’re the right place for you,” said club manager Dave Porter. “I mean alcohol makes people happier, fitness makes people happier, we’re just everything together in one happy place.”
Porter said it’s good to hear that people in the area seem to be happier in comparison to the average Ontarian but adding a good habit, like working out, to existing bad habits can improve those numbers even more.
For Liam Higgins, who has been a member of the club for 16 years, the reward of having a couple of beers and friends to hang out with at the end of a workout makes it worth the effort.
“The club’s been a God-send as far as meeting people. For me, it’s not just working out when I come here. It’s a social thing,” said Higgins. “It’s a little bit of an anomaly with this club because when you finish your workout, you can go and have a beer, and there’s probably not too many fitness facilities that do that, but I think it’s great.”
Life expectancy in the Erie St. Clair LHIN region is 80.3 years. In the WECHU region, it’s 80.7 years.
The average life expectancy for the entire province is 81.5 years.
Maybe part of the problem is that we don’t eat fruits and vegetables as much as other Ontarians. Across the province, an average of 43.2 per cent of residents said they eat fruits and vegetables five or more times a day. In WECHU region, that figure drops to 36.3 per cent. In the Erie St. Clair LHIN region, it drops to 35.6 per cent.
The figures also show that fewer residents of both regions feel a “sense of community belonging” and “life satisfaction” compared to the Ontario average.
And yet, when it comes to mental health, 75.3 per cent of WECHU region residents and 75.1 Erie St. Clair LHIN region residents reported theirs as “very good or excellent.” That’s actually a bit better than the provincial average of 74.3 per cent.
Most of the figures didn’t come as a surprise Windsor’s Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Allen Heimann.
“Certainly, some of the major points such as cigarettes, alcohol and weight — these are things we’ve been concerned about for some time,” Heimann said on Tuesday.
However, there were pieces of data that Heimann found unexpected. For example, the asthma rate for the WECHU region is 7.2 per cent — lower than the Ontario average of 8.3 per cent.
“I would’ve thought that figure to be higher, given where we are — Generally higher pollen counts, more allergens, more days of heat, more days with poor air quality index,” Heimann said.
While the WECHU region’s overall current smoker rate remains worse than the provincial average, Heimann pointed out that our present rate for daily smokers (18 per cent) is significantly lower than it was in 2003 (25 per cent).
“So that’s a good thing,” he said. “That’s one area we’ve focused on.”
Asked why there hasn’t been more dramatic change in the region’s other problem health categories, given the WECHU’s education efforts over the years, Heimann said that instilling healthy behaviours isn’t quite as simple as telling people what they should do.
“The difficulty with modifying health behaviours is that it’s ‘multifactorial.’ You’ve got to deal with multiple issues. It’s not just education,” Heimann said.
Dr. Martin Lees, primary care lead for the Erie St. Clair LHIN, had similar thoughts.
“That is the big question in health care,” Lees said. “Changing behaviour characteristics in large populations is a notoriously difficult thing to do, and a very complex undertaking.”
“We know that the population has been like this for quite some time,” Lees said. “I wish I had the answer … It can take generations to see change.”
It was a little brisk but turned out to be a great night of riding. The trails were beautifully cleared and tacky but the log I bailed off of wasn't. That was crash number 1. I give it a 7 out of 10. After whipping through about 3/4 of the trail Mark took the second spill about a 6. The crash of the night went to a somersaulting Ali who went down hard with a perfect 10. After dusting himself off and clearing out the cobwebs (possibly with a mild concussion) he soldiered on.
Possibly the best October 24th weather ever! 71 degrees at ride time. Still, some people opted for long sleeves only to regret it. Who would have thought we would be sitting around watching the World Series in Ali's backyard in shorts and t-shirts at this time of year. 
Gents,
Amazing how last week we had almost everyone out but this week only 6 showed. Those that didn't show provided lame excuses at best, I am sick, I am tired, my back hurts, ..........You guys should have just done what Ali did, put a "cork" in it and ride. Beautiful night for our first night ride and even though we pushed back our start time, someone was still not ready. Wasn't Scotty who came prepared with a new set of sweet lights. Big changes in attendance. It is now a 4 way tie at the top. 
Disappointed that no one blogged about the Michigan game festivities/shenanigans. Was looking forward to the pics and stories of the day. Oh wait, those that know how to blog don't even remember the day (Matt excluded).
Wow! Ian has outdone himself. Not only did he provide nice and cold Stella's tonight, but he also went out to buy some chips (unnecessary, that is Mike's job and one that he has been seriously slacking at lately). Great job Ian. Next up for beers is Rob. Hopefully he will be in good enough shape to provide the beer next week after pulling me for 100 miles over Collingwood hills. 
Another change in the top attendance spot. Matt has taken over Mark as the top attendance earner. It doesn't matter that Mark was off doing a half-marathon somewhere. He didn't get back in time to join the ride. Congrats Matt!
On probably the nicest night of the year a packed CRC crew took to the trails for an out and back through Morton. The pace was fast and the falls were faster. Jeremy's bike after building great resentment for the Boyne, "Bike Toss", incident a few years back, finally got it's revenge. Jeremy did his best Superman impression over the bars and ended up with a nasty gash on his arm. Later in the ride Mark tried to knock over a tree but did not succeed.
It was an unfortunate lesson in supply and demand tonight (or as Dave calls it, "mountain bike economics") for one unprepared CRC rider. Helmet? Check. Shoes? Check. Water? Check. Extra tube and pump? Che...... nope! Instead this rider would rather pay outrageous trailside prices for a tube, pump, and tire lever (I know it was only needed it for a second, but remember, we charge by the hour) when he gets a flat.
Fortunately for Jeremy I just happened to have my phone handy when he came down with an "illness" and couldn't ride. Hhhhhmmmmm...... let's see, Jeremy has missed 2 rides in 2 years and suddenly he is sick on probably the only night he has to bring beer. Isn't that convenient Adrian.... I mean Jeremy? Lucky for him I stepped up and covered him.
As you can see I am very busy on this Thursday morning.
Last night it was wet and wild like a trip to Ali's love den. We headed out to Malden to test out the new race course (a roadies dream), we were soon hit by the torrential downpours, and downed trees blocking the trail. One safety conscious rider decided to brave, "the hill" in the light show (note he did not make the top). We then took shelter and shared biking tips with the children of Asia.
It was a hot one tonight. That might explain the poor turnout. No Smitty (we should start a game, "Where in the World is Mike?"), no Jim (wife wouldn't let him out because she was too busy celebrating end of school year), no Rob (he didn't want to listen to the teachers celebrating), no Liam (ok reason not to ride, but what about beers?), no Ali..... oops sorry Ali was there. I just never saw him because he was at the front of the pack all night. That might explain all the cuts on my arms and legs as he led us through a quick pace of Morton and then he wanted to make sure we hit every hill and overgrown trail at Malden. 
Good turnout tonight. Almost everyone was out. The only people that didn't ride must not have been able to find a fresh pair of panties. Thanks to Jim and Mark for pushing the pace and finishing Malden Park on a wonderful climb (sarcasm). Good ride overall, approximately 32 km covered in 1:45ish. Huge thanks to Jim for finally coming through with a case of beer (although that almost wasn't enough). We were going to send him back out for another when he came up with some lame excuse about having to go practice gymnastics (don't know, I only heard part of the conversation). Also nice to be back on familiar grounds (thanks Ali!) and lots of laughs. However, Ali did you not tell the neighbour that we ride on Wednesday and not to cut their grass that day???? Next up for beer is Rob.
Just a guess, but that might have been one of the best nights this season to ride. Solid temperature, terrain and banter. A fine showing was put forth by Jeremy who finished first (leaving Mark's) and did show up for another great trail ride. Kudos to Jer for taking the heat and lumps for his weekend slip up.
