Doctors offer tips for a smoke-free holiday season
TORONTO, Dec. 17 /CNW/ - The Ontario Medical Association is offering a few tips to help individuals in the process of quitting smoking to get through the holidays smoke-free.
"Smoking is a powerful addiction, and quitting is incredibly difficult, but giving it up could save your life," said OMA President Dr. Larry Erlick. "The holidays can be a very challenging season to fight off the urge to smoke, but it's important for those trying to quit to persevere - no matter what time of year it is."

Here are a few quick tips to help keep the holidays smoke-free:
- Nicotine Replacement Therapies, like nicotine gum and the patch, will help you deal with the cravings. Keep nicotine gum with you at all times
- it's available over the counter at pharmacies.
- Remove ALL cigarettes and ashtrays in your home and car.
- Ask your family and friends for their support.
- Avoid beverages that you may associate with smoking - like alcohol and caffeine drinks.
- Try to avoid areas where others may be smoking.
- Have a plan in place to help you deal with situations where you may be tempted to smoke - like leaving a function where others are smoking.
- Give yourself some downtime to relax and recharge
- feeling energized may make it easier to deal with holiday-related stress.
- Regular exercise can help calm you down and relieve tension.

"The OMA recently put forward a comprehensive tobacco control plan for the provincial government which, if implemented, would save thousands of lives and generate billions of dollars," said Dr. Erlick. "Our multi-pronged tobacco control program can accomplish so much by targeting the largest preventable health epidemic in this country - smoking."
There are almost 1.9 million smokers in Ontario, and each year 12,000 patients die prematurely because of smoking. One of every four deaths from heart attacks and strokes in Canada is caused by smoking, and tobacco use causes about 30% of all cancers in Canada, and more than 85% of lung cancers. For more information about the dangers of tobacco use, or the OMA's tobacco control plan, please visit our Web site at www.oma.org.
For further information: Patrick Nelson or Courtney Sorger, OMA Media Relations, at 1-800-268-7215, ext.2862

Attention Career/News/Assignment Editors & Reporters:
Career Management 2004 - Start with a Killer Resume!
TORONTO, Dec. 17 /CNW/ - As December moves into the holiday season, the job-seeking season draws closer. "Many job seekers resolve to kick start or restart their job searches in January - which means your resume better be polished by the time your New Year's resolutions kick in!" said Bruce Powell, Managing Partner, IQ Partners, an executive search and integrated HR services firm. "You never know when you may be looking for a job, so we recommend everyone do a resume refresh at least once a year - December is the ideal time."

To assist job seekers, IQ Partners has issued ten tips for optimizing your resume for today's job market. "Your resume is the first representation many hiring managers have of you - better make sure it's a good one!" continued Powell. "The average resume gets less than 10 seconds of consideration before a decision is made. Our Career Management Consultants work with everyone from President's to entry-level managers to make sure their resume makes the 'yes' cut."

IQ Partners Top Ten Tips to a Killer Resume
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1. It is a marketing document - design it to generate a response.
2. It is a business document - be legible, credible and structured
3. You are your brand - what are you and what makes you unique?
4. Start with a profile - not an objective!
5. Be authentic, specific and genuine - stay away from clichés.
6. Chronological over functional - people think chronologically.
7. Less is more.
8. List "what you did" and "for who" before "when".
9. Accomplishments vs. responsibilities - quantify & qualify your success.
10. Don't be afraid to show some personality - you'll be remembered!

An expanded version of this list with additional insights can be found at http://www.iqpartners.com/topten/. Job-seekers who want to know how their resume measures up can also take advantage of IQ Partners' Resume Report Card service, available via their website at http://www.iqpartners.com/CareerManagement/ReportCard.html. The service will analyze, evaluate and provide personalized tips on optimizing your resume over five business days for $99 and will provide a fifty-page booklet on resume best practices for all types of careers.
ABOUT IQ PARTNERS:
IQ Partners is an integrated HR Services company. They provide flexible human resource solutions to help intelligent companies hire better, hire less & retain more. Their services include HR Consulting, Executive Search, Qualification & Assessment, Employee Development, Career Management and Contract HR Services. IQ Partners specializes in Marketing, Communications, Media, Technology and Financial Services and works at the mid-to-senior management level. IQ Partners has offices in Toronto and Ottawa and is a member of the Aravati Global Search Network. For more information, please visit www.IQPartners.com.

Helping Children Become More Physically Active This Holiday Season and Winter
OTTAWA, Dec. 19 /CNW/ - Heading into the holidays, the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) is urging parents to help their children be physically active every day this winter for the good of their health.

"Ensuring our kids are physically active enough during the cold winter months can be challenging, but with a bit of planning and commitment, this important goal is achievable for most families" said Dr. Mike Sharratt, spokesperson for CSEP, and Dean of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Waterloo.

"Parents can start by balancing holiday gifts of computer games and music CDs with "active" presents like sports equipment and lessons at the local arena, community centre or pool.

"Providing your child with the gift of learning a life-long skill such as skating, skiing, swimming, martial arts, dancing, gymnastics, basketball, or another fun activity is the best present a parent can give their child" said Dr. Sharratt. Not only will they have fun now, but active children grow into active and healthy adults, with lower risk of obesity, heart and stroke disease, and certain kinds of cancers," he said.

"Balance your children's planned activities with opportunities for informal and unstructured play this winter - such as building a snow man, tobogganing, shoveling the driveway and a family game of road hockey" he said.

"Being a positive role model for your children is important" he noted.
"Head outside to play in the snow with your kids, invite them to walk the dog with you, and join them to learn a new activity. Plan family activities like cross country skiing, trips to the pool and skating this winter".

For the many parents of hockey playing boys and girls, Dr. Sharratt recommends focusing your child's attention on fun and their skills, rather than the game's outcome. "That was a great play you made in the first period is far more encouraging to a child them scolding them for missing a pass or failing to score a goal" he said.

Dr. Sharratt also encourages parents to limit the "non-active" time their children will spend sitting in front of the television, playing video games, or surfing the Internet over the winter months. By being an "active living" family, one that subscribes to a way of life in which physical activity is valued and integrated into daily living, you're improving your own health and helping to ensure your children will live long, active lives as well," he concluded.

Canada's Physical Activity Guides for Children and Youth, developed by Health Canada and the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, recommend inactive children and youth increase the amount of time they currently spend being physically active by at least 30 minutes per day to start and decrease the time they spend on TV, playing computer games and surfing the Internet by at least 30 minutes less per day.

The increase in physical activity should include a combination of moderate activity (such as brisk walking, skating and road hockey) and vigorous activity (such as cross country skiing and swimming).

The guidelines recommend that inactive children and youth accumulate this increase in daily physical activity in periods of at least 5 to 10 minutes.
Over several months, children and youth should try to accumulate at least 90 minutes more physical activity per day and decrease by at least 90 minutes per day the amount of time spent on sedentary activities such as watching videos and sitting at a computer.

Research has shown that over half of Canadian children and youth are not active enough for optimal growth and development. From 1981 to 1996, the prevalence of overweight children and youth doubled, and obesity tripled for both boys and girls. Achieving improvements in the physical activity levels of Canadians is seen as critical to their overall health and quality of life, and an important strategy to containing costs and sustaining Canada's health-care system over
the long term.

In addition to Canada's Physical Activity Guides for Children and Youth and support resources, Canada's Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living and Canada's Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living for Older Adults are also available to help Canadians become more physically active.

Copies of all the Guides and support resources are available free-of- charge by calling 1-888-334-9769 or visiting www.healthcanada.ca/paguide.

For further information: Susan King, 613-744-8282; or Mike Sharratt, 519.888-4567, ext. 3150

Motorists urged to drive sober this holiday season
QUEEN'S PARK, ON, Dec. 22 /CNW/ - To ensure Ontarians have a safe and happy holiday season, Transportation Minister Harinder Takhar is urging motorists to be safe and drive sober.
Ontario has one of the best road safety records in North America. However, alcohol contributes to approximately one quarter of all fatal collisions. On average, about two people are convicted of impaired driving every hour in Ontario.
"We are dedicated to preventing the senseless tragedy caused by impaired drivers," Takhar said. "To keep our roads and communities safe, Ontario will continue to combat drinking and driving with some of the toughest laws and programs in North America."
Ontario is working closely with police and community groups to educate the public and increase awareness of the dangers of drinking and driving. This includes the recently launched 2003 Holiday RIDE program and a radio public service announcement by Minister Takhar produced with the Ontario Community Council on Impaired Driving to encourage sober driving this holiday season.
To listen to Minister Takhar's holiday public service announcement for the Ontario Community Council on Impaired Driving, please visit http://www.occid.org/sounds/ministertakhar.mp3.
"It is disheartening and extremely frustrating to me that after so many years of police and organizations such as MADD Canada promoting 'if you drink, don't drive,' that drinking and driving remains the number one criminal cause of death nation-wide," said Toronto Police Chief Julian Fantino.
"RIDE programs have played a major role in deterring drinking and driving
- not just during the holidays but all year long," said Monte Kwinter, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. "All of us have a personal responsibility to our families and others on the roads to stay sober and drive responsibly."
The latest Ontario-wide RIDE statistics from Ontario Provincial Police
show that during the third week, December 12-18, 2003, of the five week R.I.D.E. campaign a total of 104,937 vehicles were checked at roadside checkpoints. A total of 203 12-hour suspensions were issued and 102 persons were charged with alcohol-related Criminal Code driving offences. Unfortunately this is an increase of eight over the same

Study Provides Hope for Diabetes Prevention Losing weight with Xenical(R)significantly reduces threat of developing type 2 diabetes.
MISSISSAUGA, ON, Dec. 23 /CNW/ - For the more than 1.6 million Canadians who will develop type 2 diabetes in Canada during the next decade, 80 to 90 per cent of whom are overweight or obese, a newly published study on weight loss using medication represents a significant step forward in diabetes prevention.
According to results from the landmark XENDOS study published today in Diabetes Care(1), patients who achieve weight loss with Xenical(R) (orlistat) have a significantly reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This is the first study to assess whether treatment with a weight loss medication can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and is the first ever weight
loss medication to achieve this result.
"The results of the XENDOS study show that the addition of a weight loss medication such as orlistat to lifestyle changes is a more effective approach than lifestyle changes alone in preventing type 2 diabetes," said Dr. Lawrence Leiter, Head of Endocrinology and Metabolism, St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. "Given the fact that we are in the midst of an epidemic, with the number of Canadians with diabetes expected to double over the next fifteen years, any strategy that will help to reduce the risk of developing this disease is certainly most welcome," Dr. Leiter added.
XENDOS is the largest and longest study to date of a weight loss medication, treating 3,304 obese patients for four years with Xenical plus lifestyle changes, or lifestyle changes alone. The study showed that losing weight with Xenical reduced the risk of developing diabetes by 37% compared with lifestyle changes alone and by 52% in patients with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT or pre-diabetes).
"Evidence supports weight loss in individuals who are at high risk for diabetes as a key factor in improving insulin sensitivity, glycemic control, high blood pressure and lipid levels," said Donna Lillie, Vice President Research and Professional Education, Canadian Diabetes Association. "The Canadian Diabetes Association welcomes effective methods to support weight loss and help prevent type 2 diabetes."
The Canadian Diabetes Association released new guidelines recently that lower the at-risk age for type 2 diabetes from age 45 to age 40. With more than 14 million people age 40 and over in Canada, an additional 2.5 million more Canadians are now identified as being at risk for this form of the disease.
Health experts have warned of a global epidemic of diabetes caused by a rise in being overweight and obesity. Worldwide there are currently 120-140 million people with type 2 diabetes, and if trends continue, this number is predicted to double in the next 25 years(2). More than 80-90% of all people with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese(3).
XENDOS Study results showed:
- During four years of treatment, Xenical plus lifestyle changes decreased the risk of developing diabetes by 37% over lifestyle changes alone.
- Xenical reduced the progression to type 2 diabetes by 52% in patients with impaired glucose tolerance at baseline, compared to lifestyle changes alone.
- Weight loss, both in the short and long-term, was significantly greater with Xenical compared to lifestyle changes alone. (11.4 kg vs. 7.5 kg at one year and 6.9 kg vs. 4.1 kg respectively at four years). Almost twice as many Xenical treated patients lost more than 10% body weight at the end of four years (26% vs. 16%). In addition, after four years over 52% of patients taking Xenical lost more than 5% body weight versus 37% in patients treated with lifestyle changes
alone.
- Xenical plus lifestyle changes resulted in early and significant improvements in cardiovascular risk factors that were sustained throughout the study, including blood pressure, waist circumference, and lipids (cholesterol).
- Xenical was used safely over four years and was well tolerated with more patients completing long-term treatment in the Xenical study group than those undertaking lifestyle changes alone.
Type 2 Diabetes
Because of the severe health and cost implications of type 2 diabetes, organisations such as the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) have called for increased efforts to prevent the development of type 2 diabetes. The IDF estimates that 314 million people worldwide, or 8.2% of the global population, have impaired glucose tolerance, a state that often precedes type 2 diabetes(4).
Excess Weight
Excess weight is well recognised as the most important modifiable risk factor for the development of type 2 diabetes. A number of recent studies have shown that lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) have a dramatic effect on delaying or preventing the development of type 2 diabetes(5, 6). The XENDOS study represents an important step forward in the evolution of diabetes prevention studies through the study design and the outcomes that were measured.
Notes to Editors:
About Xenical
Xenical is the only available weight loss medication that works locally in the gut to prevent dietary fat absorption by around 30% to effectively promote weight loss. It is an effective therapy that not only helps patients lose weight, but also helps them maintain their weight loss. Xenical is well tolerated and unlike appetite suppressants, it does not act on the brain.
Since it was first marketed in 1998, there have been more than 18.5 million patient treatments with Xenical worldwide. Xenical is licensed for weight management in over 140 countries around the world.
Xenical is covered by a number of private insurance companies as a viable and effective treatment option available to assist people in losing weight. In Ontario, Xenical is reimbursed through the Ontario Drug Benefit Program's Section 8 program.
About Hoffmann-La Roche Limited
Hoffmann-La Roche Limited is a healthcare company committed to the discovery and development of new and innovative medicines to help treat human illnesses. The company is active in a broad range of therapeutic categories that include AIDS, cardiology, dermatology, hepatitis C, infectious disease, metabolism, transplant, oncology and virology.
All trademarks used or mentioned in this release are legally protected.
References:
1. Torgerson JS, et al. XENDOS: a randomised study of orlistat as an adjunct to lifestyle changes for the prevention of type 2 diabetes in obese patients. Diabetes Care 2004;27(1):155-61
2. World Health Organization. Health Topics.
http://www.who.int/health_topics/diabetes_mellitus/en/
3. Colditz GA, Willett WC, Rotnitzky A, Manson JE. "Weight gain as a risk factor for clinical diabetes mellitus in women". Ann Inter Med (1995). 122:481-486.
4. International Diabetes Federation. New Diabetes Figures.
http://www.idf.org/home/index.cfm?node=1054
5. Tuomilehto et al. Diabetes Prevention Study (DPS). NEJM, May 3, 2001,
Prevention of type 2 diabetes mellitus by changes in lifestyle among subjects with impaired glucose tolerance.
6. Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP). NEJM, February 7, 2002. Reduction in the incidence in type 2 diabetes with lifestyle intervention or metformin.

New City home for the aged welcomes friends, families, neighbours
TORONTO, Dec. 17 /CNW/ - At a ceremony this afternoon, Wesburn Manor, Toronto's first new City-owned home for the aged since 1990, officially opened its doors. This home, which was built on the corner of The West Mall and Burnhamthorpe Road in Etobicoke, offers a wide array of amenities and features that make it a welcoming home for 192 residents.
"This is a happy occasion," said Councillor Doug Holyday (Ward 3 Etobicoke Centre), who assisted with the official ribbon-cutting ceremony. "By building Wesburn Manor and operating long-term care facilities across Toronto, the City is continuing to respond to the community's need for seniors' services."
"The opening of Wesburn Manor is great news for seniors in and around our community," said Laurel Broten, MPP, Etobicoke Lakeshore, who shared the ribbon-cutting duties. "We know that our population is growing and aging and we want to be sure that long-term care beds are there for people now and far into the future."
Wesburn Manor features six resident home areas, which include two 32-bed areas on the second, third and fourth floors. Residents on each floor have access to gardens, and each resident home area features its own dining, lounge and activity areas. Great care has been taken to furnish and decorate the home to make it truly a home for residents and visitors. Wesburn's main floor features a central square, gardens, a fireplace, a multi-purpose room, meeting rooms, a library and even a guest suite for visiting families. Other services on the main floor include the administrative offices, general store, hair salon, volunteer office/lounge, main kitchen, laundry services and a maintenance workshop.
The community was involved from the first stages of Wesburn Manor's development. Planning, which began in 1999, included a series of meetings with the home's future neighbours. >From these meetings, a Community Reference Group was formed to work with Toronto Homes for the Aged throughout the design and construction. The connections to the community continue, as various areas of the home are named after prominent people and places in the Etobicoke area. For example, the central square is named the Dennis Flynn Town Square, the first-floor garden is called Eatonville Park, and residents can enjoy refreshments at the Alders Cafe. Other prominent Etobicoke residents whose names have been honoured include Esther Heyes, Stewart B. East, Jane Leitch, Dorothy Fuller and Lynn Lundie.
Wesburn Manor was designed by Shore-Tilbe Irwin & Partners Architects; Buttcon Ltd. served as the official construction partner for the project. Capital costs for Wesburn Manor were budgeted at $24.55 million. Funding for the new home was provided by the City of Toronto and the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-term Care.
Visit our Web site at www.toronto.ca