On the campaign’s website Dairy Farmers of Canada - Project Sleep, Canadians can find information on this awareness campaign as well as tips and tools to improve their quality of sleep and, in turn, their quality of life.
On May 17, the Canadian Sleep Review 2016, a national opinion poll conducted by Angus Reid, revealed that Canadians feel they are falling short of sleep. Almost 70 percent agree that they wish they could get a better quality of sleep most nights.
The review offered insights and advice from a panel of leading sleep experts who call on Canadians to make sleep a priority – both to feel better now and guard against long-term illness.
The Canadian Sleep Review 2016 and Project Sleep are initiatives from DFC and a part of our ongoing work to explore and build awareness about serious health and social issues, which are important to our members and all Canadians.
“Sleep is something all healthy Canadians need without question, and concerns of a general lack thereof are what prompted Dairy Farmers of Canada to raise awareness about the subject,” says DFC’s Executive Director Caroline Emond.
“Helping Canadians gain a better understanding of their sleep requirements is a step towards a healthier Canada. Our goal is to help foster the discussion and raise the sleep priority.”
The survey revealed a number of key findings:
- Almost half of Canadians surveyed (45 percent) report waking up feeling groggy or tired from a restless night’s sleep.
- In what to do to become healthier, Canadians indicate exercising more (37 percent), eating healthier (26 percent) and getting more sleep (20 percent).
- Millennials are most at risk: When presented with the idea that lack of sleep can increase aging and signs of aging, 71 percent say it is the first thing they sacrifice when running short of time.
- Parents are particularly diligent about sleep. A majority (76 percent) keeps a regular bedtime routine for their children, a practice the expert panel say is extremely beneficial; however, parents don’t always hold themselves to the same routine.
- Women are more affected by their partner’s sleeping habits than men, with 47 percent reporting that their partner’s snoring disrupts their sleep versus 26 percent of men reporting the same.
- One in three Canadians would pay up to $500 for a week’s worth of restful sleep. Astonishingly, half would choose a sleep-inducing bed over a dream vacation.
To learn more about the campaign, visit www.projectsleep.ca
DFC’s National Nutrition team engages with health professionals
This spring, DFC dieticians held booth exhibits in a number of conferences to educate physicians, health professionals and researchers about the nutritional benefits of dairy products.
Over the course of the past several months, the DFC National Nutrition team held booth exhibits at the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Summit in Ottawa. Organized by the University of Ottawa and the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the event was well attended by physicians, researchers and various health professionals interested in women’s cardiovascular health.
The nutrition team was also present at the University of Ottawa’s 65th Refresher Course for Family Physicians, which attracted approximately 400 physicians, and at University of Toronto’s Family and Community Medicine’s Pri-Med Canada, where they go to rub shoulders with more than 3,800 family physicians and health professionals.
Lastly, our dieticians took part in Diabète Québec’s Journée de formation scientifique pour les professionnels de la santé, which was held in Montréal.
Not only do these gatherings aim to educate family physicians, dieticians and other health professionals about the health benefits of dairy, but they also represent an opportunity to speak directly to them, answer their questions and maybe clear up a misconception or two about Canadian dairy along the way. PD
Founded in 1934, Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFC) is the national organization which defends the interests of Canadian dairy farmers and strives to create favourable conditions for the Canadian dairy industry.
Working in accordance with supply management principles, DFC promotes safe, high quality, sustainable and nutritious Canadian dairy products made from 100% Canadian milk through various marketing, nutrition, policy and lobbying initiatives.
Driven by a strong sense of community and pride, DFC and Canadian dairy farmers actively support a number of local and national activities. Visit Dairy Farmers of Canada for more information.
