Basseterre, St. Kitts, June 14, 2006: Children throughout the Federation ate fruit on June 01, 2006, as part of their mid-morning snack, in commemoration of Caribbean Nutrition Day.
Adults were encouraged to do likewise in addition to doing some sort of physical activity. Nationals were encouraged to see this activity as the start of a healthy habit.
~~Adz:Left~~According to Health Nutrition Officer Mrs. Alberta Maynard, the day was a success even though there was competition for the public's attention from other societal events including the National Day of Prayer.
Mrs. Maynard also explained the role of nutrition in the new protocol pertaining to diabetes, hypertension and obesity. She said that it plays an important role in the management of these diseases. As such, the protocol complements the overall objective of practicing good nutrition in everyday life.
The Nutrition Officer informed how her ministry is dealing with the Caribbean and the Federation's high incidence of diabetes, hypertension and obesity. She said the Ministry of Health is employing a health promotion approach which includes the reorientation of health services related to diabetes and hypertension and the training and retraining health care providers. There will also be the provision of tools to support the management of these non-communicable diseases including a protocol, a manual, a diabetes passport as well as patient education and awareness material.
Mrs. Maynard concluded the St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service interview by emphasizing the importance of good diet and exercise. She said that our daily food choices should include items from the six food groups, eaten in the correct proportions and low in salt, sugar and fat. The Nutrition Officer emphasized that exercise is very important and should be part of one's daily routine, as it enables the body to burn excess calories which otherwise would be stored in the body as fat. She said it is also important for general health.
Caribbean Nutrition Day was celebrated under the theme "Healthy Eating and Active Living."
