A call to action.

A Senate committee believes an overhaul of Canada’s Food Guide is needed to reflect current scientific evidence.

A possible tax on sugar-sweetened beverages and a ban on advertising food and drinks to kids are some other suggestions in the committee’s just released report.

Chair Senator Kelvin Ogilvie says, ”We can’t sugar coat it any longer.  There is an obesity crisis in Canada and sugar is a big part of that problem.  We must act.”

Ogilvie adds a significant reduction in sugar consumption would go a long way toward promoting normal body weight and improved health.

Since 1980, the number of obese Canadian adults has doubled while the number of obese children has tripled.

The committee’s report is the result of studying the issue between February 2014 and June 2015.