Note from the editor: CrossCurrents Spring 2004

CrossCurrents

With the long winter slowly yielding to sunnier, milder days, many of us are emerging from our hibernation eager to get physically active once again. According to the Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute, Canadians have become more active over the years, moving from almost 80 per cent inactive in 1981 to 63 per cent inactive today. This is good news, since research is confirming what we have known intuitively for some time: not only does exercise have a positive effect on physical health, but it may also be an excellent way to treat and prevent mental health and even substance use problems. Engaging in sports and exercise has been found to decrease symptoms of depression and anxiety, while increasing energy level, self-esteem and positive affect. But physical activity can have some ambiguous effects. For example, the relationship between physical activity and eating disorders is unclear, with eating disorders often being accompanied by unhealthy exercise.

The articles in this issue examine both the risks and benefits of physical activity. In their stories, Helen Buttery and Cindy McGlynn discuss the psychosocial benefits of physical activity among vulnerable populations and what various groups and programs are doing to promote health and recovery. Looking at the negative side of physical activity, Astrid Van Den Broek examines whether exercise can be addictive. And Abigail Pugh explores co-occurring compulsive exercise and eating disorders and how clinicians can address the issue. The Q&A section takes a look at youth sports and how to promote healthy sports engagement - a particularly timely topic, given the increased aggression and competitiveness found in youth sports today.

Finally, in the Last Word column, Dr. Julio Arboleda-Florez provides a counterpoint to Michael Bay's piece in the last issue, where he argued that the divestment of provincial psychiatric hospitals in Ontario could risk the delicate balance that underlies our mental health legislation.

Enjoy the upcoming warm days. Get outside. Get active. And enjoy this issue of CrossCurrents. Send us your comments, suggestions and ideas, so that we can continue providing you with coverage of the issues that matter to you.

Hema Zbogar
tel 416 595-6714
hema_zbogar@camh.net

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