Officially, Glenn Thibeault attended Wednesday’s launch of the Healthy Kids Community Challenge as Sudbury’s MPP, but he’s also the father of two young girls and knows first-hand how important it is for children to make healthy choices.

He’s also aware of the serious problem posed by childhood obesity in Canada, where rates have nearly doubled nationally, and in this province, where it’s now estimated 28 per cent of children, and 41 per cent of aboriginal children, are either overweight or obese.

“Our government realized this is an issue that needs to be tackled head on,” Thibeault said Wednesday, during a press conference at Tom Davies Square in Sudbury, one of 45 communities taking part in the Healthy Kids Community Challenge.