B.V.I. Monday, September 14 – Findings from the STEPS Risk Factor Survey, which was conducted between February and June 2009, will guide Government’s efforts in devising an effective response to the problem of chronic non-communicable diseases in the Territory.

This was announced by the Minister of Health and Social Development Honourable Dancia Penn OBE, QC during her message to observe the second annual Caribbean Wellness Day on Saturday.

In revealing the survey’s preliminary findings the minister said, “Government will use the findings to develop a policy for the prevention and control of chronic illnesses.” Some of the survey’s key results, Honourable Penn said, show that 49 percent of the Territory’s male population currently consumes alcohol, while 28 percent occasionally engage in heavy drinking of alcohol.

The findings also showed that 92 percent of men and women in the Territory consume less than five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, while 60 percent of the men and women in the Virgin Islands do not currently engage in regular vigorous physical activity.

It was further discovered that 74 percent of men and women in the Territory are currently overweight while 43 percent of the female population is obese. Based on the preliminary findings, 41 percent of the population within the 25–44 age group has three or more risk factors, while 46 percent of the population in the age range of 25–64 has three or more risk factors.

“Those findings, it is important for me to stress, were uncovered from the just ended STEPS survey, and the participants in the survey were persons who live here,” the minister noted.

Honourable Penn said it is interesting to observe that there is not a significant difference in the risk factors for persons within the 25-44 age range when compared with those between 25 and 64 years of age. “This means that unless some aggressive measures are taken, the problem of chronic non-communicable diseases will indeed be a great social and economic burden on our society,” she said.

According to the minister, there is sufficient evidence to show that chronic non-communicable diseases can be prevented and controlled through lifestyle changes, public policies, and health interventions. However, she stated, these require an inter-sectoral and integrated approach.

Results of the STEPS Risk Factor Survey will soon be widely distributed throughout the Territory through reports, fact sheets, brochures, presentations, among other methods of communication. During the four-month data collection process that lasted from February until June this year 13 households were surveyed in Anegada, 131 in Virgin Gorda, eight in Jost Van Dyke, and 807 in Tortola.