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Women 19-50
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the Colour It Up Program?

The Colour It Up Program is a community-based program designed to help women ages 19-50 and their families to eat more vegetables and fruit. The program generally runs once a week for six weeks. Each weekly session lasts about two hours. In each session there are discussions, activities, recipes and snacks that help women to overcome challenges and build confidence in their ability to eat more vegetables and fruit. There is also a Colour It Up program for women over the age of 50.

2. Why is it so important to eat vegetables and fruit?

Research shows that eating vegetables and fruit is an important factor in lowering the risk for cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. There are also many other health benefits. Vegetables and fruit make up the largest arc of Canada's Food Guide rainbow emphasizing the important role these foods play in a healthy eating pattern. Canada's Food Guide recommends that women ages 19-50 eat 7 to 8 servings of vegetables and fruit every day. Unfortunately, most Canadians are not eating enough. Vegetables and fruit have important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and fibre and they usually are low in fat and calories.

3. Why should I participate in the Colour It Up Program?

The Colour It Up Program offers a chance to get out and talk to other women who probably have the same challenges when it comes to eating more vegetables and fruit and getting their families to eat more vegetables and fruit. The Colour It Up program is a fun way to learn more about nutrition, share your ideas, try new foods, and taste different recipes! Often, there is a small prize or gift offered to each participant for attending the program. Research on the program has shown that women who participated in the program increased the number of vegetables and fruit they ate.

4. Who can sign up for the Colour It Up Program?

Women who live in Ontario can sign up for the program. To find out if there is a program running in your area or to express your interest in participating in the Colour It Up program, please contact us.

5. Can women over the age of 50 join the Colour It Up Program?

The Colour It Up program has been adapted for women over the age of 50. Canada's Food Guide recommends that women ages 51+ years eat 7 servings of vegetables and fruit every day. The Colour It Up program for women over the age of 50 addresses the issues and topics that are of most interest to women over the age of 50. The program focuses on healthy aging and the health benefits of eating more vegetables and fruit. The program for women over the age of 50 is currently only available in English. To find out if there is a program running in your area or to express your interest in participating in the Colour It Up program, please contact us.

6. I am 50 years old, which program should I participate in?

Either program could be appropriate. The program you should participate in is dependent on several factors, including your life stage as well as availability in your community. Both Colour It Up for women ages 19-50 and for women over the age of 50 help women gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to eat more vegetables and fruit.

The program for women 19-50 has more focus on teaching women ways to help children and other family members eat more vegetables and fruit. The program for women over the age of 50 has more focus on healthy aging and health benefits and addresses the issues and topics that are of most interest to women over the age of 50 (for example, cooking for one or two, changing lifelong habits, influences from husbands or partners).

In addition, the Colour It Up program utilizes group discussion as a key element of the program. Since the challenges and discussions that women 19-50 may be different that women over the age of 50, it would be beneficial to be in a group of women of similar age and life stage. It is advised that you talk to the program facilitator to determine which program is more appropriate.

7. Can men join the Colour It Up Program?

Unfortunately at this time, men cannot join the program. The Colour It Up Program was designed specifically for women. Please contact your local public health unit or community health centre for other programs available in your area.

8. Where is the Colour It Up Program held?

There are a number of organizations across Ontario that offer the Colour It Up Program. The program may be run by your local Public Health Unit, a Community Health Centre, a hospital, or other community organization. To find out if there is a program running in your area or to express your interest in participating in the Colour It Up program, please contact us.

9. Is there a fee to join the Colour It Up Program?

The Colour It Up Program is usually free of charge, but will depend on the organization or agency that is running the program.

10. Can I bring my children?

Children do not participate in the Colour It Up Program. Some program locations may offer child-care on-site. Check with the coordinator at the program location, and ask if child-care is available.

11. Do I need to bring anything to the Colour It Up Program?

All the materials you need will be provided when you start the program. You will be given a binder or folder for notes and handouts at each session. Please keep materials together and bring the materials to each session. Sometimes the program coordinators may ask for volunteers to help prepare the snack, or help tidy up the meeting room.

12. Is there any homework or tests?

There are suggested activities to do at home. For example, you are asked to think about a personal goal each week. Examples of a personal goal may be to try to eat one extra serving of vegetable at supper, or to buy one new fruit this week from the grocery store. There are also fun activities to do at home with your children and family.

There are no tests but your program coordinator may request that you complete questionnaires before and after the program that help evaluate the program and assess whether the program was effective in increasing the number of vegetables and fruit that participants eat. Your answers to these questionnaires are confidential and will help improve the program. If you do not want to fill in these questionnaires, you are still welcome to join the Colour It Up Program.

13. Where can I get more information about the Colour It Up Program?

To find out if there is a program running in your area or to express your interest in participating in the Colour It Up program, please contact us. You can also take a look at some of the recipes used in the program and read the stories from other women who have taken the program.

14. Is the program available in English and French?

Colour It Up for women ages 19-50 is available in both English and French. Availability of the program will depend on what is being offered locally. Colour It Up for women over the age of 50 is currently only available in English. To find out if there is a program running in your area or to express your interest in participating in the Colour It Up program, please contact us.

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