~~Adz:Left~~ Basseterre, St. Kitts (May 30, 2007): St. Kitts and Nevis is among countries of the region that will join together in celebrating Caribbean Nutrition Day on Friday, June 01, 2007.
Initiated by the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI) of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), Caribbean Nutrition Day is being commemorated under the theme "Healthy Eating and Active Living" for the third consecutive year. For the second year, the focus will be "Small Changes Make a Difference."
Residents are therefore being encouraged to eat healthily incorporating foods from the four major food groups, while exercising regularly after consulting with a doctor. This is particularly important considering that chronic diseases are the leading cause of death in the region.
The St. Kitts Chronic Disease Survey of 2000 discovered that over 60 percent of men and almost 70 percent of women were overweight that being one of the risk factors leading to many chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.
In addition, a Diet and Exercise Survey done in 2002 concluded that 33 percent of the sample size population was overweight while 30 percent was obese. ~~Adz:Right~~
Pertaining to the benefits of exercise, a CFNI flier noted that "physical activity is one of the most important things one can do to maintain physical and mental health and quality of life." It continues that "regular exercise is an important part of effective weight loss and weight maintenance by using excess calories that otherwise would be stored as fat."
As such, the Nutrition Division of the Ministry of Health's Promotion Unit is encouraging those who have not begun to eat healthily and exercise, to do so and encouraging those who have already begun, to continue. In general, all citizens including seniors, middle-aged persons, civil servants and industrial site workers are being encouraged to eat healthily and exercise. Parents of school children and pre-schoolers are also encouraged to guide their children into a lifetime of healthy eating habits by including much fruit and vegetables in their diet.
