StatsCan data centre opens today

With material by Kate Brand from from At Guelph, newspaper of the University of Guelph

SWORDC will be one of nine centres across Canada as a joint venture between StatsCan and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. A Canada Foundation for Innovation grant of about $5.38 million will be shared by the nine centres to help cover the first five years.

It will provide approved researchers with access to previously confidential data collected by Statistics Canada on issues such as health care, youth employment, and immigration.

"The nine centres are designed to function as a national network integrating and coordinating the work of university, other public agency, and private researchers," said sociology professor John Goyder, academic director of the new centre. "This will result in a quantum leap in the analysis of Statistics Canada data in order to better inform policy-making for Canada. It presents a rich opportunity for graduate students in a variety of statistical, social science and policy-oriented academic units at the six partner universities to have privileged access to the best possible survey data dealing with issues for Canadian society in the 21st century."

In the 1990s, StatsCan began producing a series of longitudinal data files in the areas of health, children and labour. One concern about producing this data was the confidentiality of the people surveyed. SWORDC will provide researchers with access to the confidential portions of these studies.

Bo Wandschneider, of the computing and communications services department at the University of Guelph, says that because of the increase in longitudinal data and StatsCan's growing concerns about confidentiality, many researchers have found that the variables they want to analyse are suppressed.

"Sending these researchers to Statistics Canada in Ottawa is costly and often prohibitive, especially for graduate students," he says. "Working with Waterloo to have SWORDC so close should help our researchers tackle a whole new array of issues." SWORDC is both a secure StatsCan office and a statistical computing laboratory. Researchers interested in using the centre will be required to submit a proposal that will be peer-reviewed, and to sign a promise of confidentiality.

"To protect the identity of individuals, many of the questions in the public use file have been aggregated," says Vinay Kanetkar of Guelph's consumer studies department, one of the first researchers who will use SWORDC. "To effectively evaluate these properties, we need to access the uncategorized or raw responses. Working at SWORDC will allow access to the complete data set."

SWORDC involves UW, Guelph, Wilfrid Laurier University, Brock University, University of Windsor and the University of Western Ontario. Other such centres will operate at McMaster, Toronto, Dalhousie, British Columbia, Calgary, Alberta, Montréal and New Brunswick.

The six universities will contribute toward the operating costs of the centre and are represented on its governing committees. A full-time Statistics Canada analyst will work at the centre in PAS: Pat Newcombe-Welch (right), a UW graduate of the doctoral program in statistics and actuarial science.

Today's events begin with a briefing for prospective users of the centre, involving Goyder and Newcombe-Welch, at 1:30 in PAS room 2030. From 2:30 to 4:00, there is an open house for all guests at the centre, PAS room 2220. Opening ceremonies begin at 3:00.

Take it easy on the figgy pudding

Barton compares the human body to a car, and talks about ways of finding the right fuel mix to provide the energy we need. That worn-out feeling could mean too many carbohydrates in the mix. "The easiest way to store body fat is to eat a lot of carbs," she warns. What's more, "the more carbs you eat, the more you want to eat . . . leading to wild cravings where we lose control." Think potato chips, for example.

Another imbalance Barton sometimes sees is not enough fats. "You need some fat every day -- about 50 grams. Fats are essential nutrients and are required by your body to absorb fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K." The solution, she suggests, is to eat a balanced energy package every three or four hours. Elements should include:

• Vegetable or fruit for a carbohydrate energy boost lasting about an hour, along with fibre, antioxidants, vitamins and phytochemicals;
• Grain products such as whole grain bread or high fibre cereals for longer-lasting carbohydrate energy -- about two hours -- as well as fuel low in fat and rich in vitamins and minerals;
• Milk products, meats, legumes and nuts for energy lasting for some three hours, along with relief from carbo cravings.

Linda Barton is a nutritionist and "lifestyle coach" in private practice in Waterloo. She frequently consults for UW's health services department. This report is based on an article that appeared in the Gazette and Daily Bulletin in December 1999.

To cut preparation time at home, use frozen vegetables that come in handy mixes for a variety of pasta, soup or stir-fry dishes. Contrary to popular belief, frozen veggies are "not second-rate nutritionally".

Choosing healthy foods and timing meals and snacks at regular intervals is only part of the equation, however. Experience working with her clients has taught Barton that stress also plays a major role in good nutrition. "Overeating often happens when you are hungry, angry, lonely or tired. Try not to turn to comfort foods for relief," advises Barton. "Food doesn't make the stress go away." Opt instead for a workout at the gym, a hot soak in the tub or whirlpool, or a visit to the sauna. Raising body temperature increases the level of serotonin -- the feel-good chemical in the brain.

Even when the holidays get hectic, she says, "take 20 minutes a day to be with yourself" -- whether it's reading, running, meditation, or a long walk. "And remember, Christmas is about more than food."

Already the first weekend of December

The psychology department presents a colloquium today by Kang Lee of Queen's University. Title: "Little Liars: Development of Lying in Different Social-Cultural Contexts". Lee will speak at 2:00 in PAS building room 2083, with a reception to follow the talk.

And at 2:30, Rolf George (right) of the department of philosophy will give a colloquium in Humanities room 373. His title: "Fifty Years in Philosophy: Second Thoughts of an Idle Fellow".

It'll be "open stage jam night" at the Graduate House tonight, with music starting at 9:30 p.m.

Coming tomorrow: "Carols, Candles and Lessons", a pre-Christmas service in Wesley Chapel at St. Paul's United College, Saturday at 9:30 p.m.

Sunday afternoon, Michael Bird of Renison College will be at the Joseph Schneider Haus in central Kitchener to give a talk on one aspect of Waterloo County Mennonite life: "Edible Art: Creative Cookies Past and Present".

What's on display in the Modern Languages art gallery these days? Originally it was to be "Toronto 20", a show from UW's permanent art collection, but plans have changed, says gallery curator Carol Podedworny: "Richard Sliwka, a UW school of architecture professor, has an exhibition of paintings in the ML gallery right now which opened with a lecture on October 4. He kindly agreed to an extension of his exhibition from the end of November to December 12. There is a symphony event taking place in the Theatre of the Arts on December 12. This gives Sliwka a rather unique and large audience for his exhibition."

Finally, a note from the Volunteer Action Centre: "Join the City of Waterloo community New Year's Eve party! Volunteers are needed to assist with Waterloo's biggest party of the year. Help decorate the hall, dress up as a costume character, meet and greet guests, help with a mini carnival, the tiny tots room, the craft room or monitor the puppet show. Volunteers may also assist with the distribution of party food, or cruise the public skate. Join in the fun!" For more information, the VAC can be reached at 742-8610.

CAR