In a message commemorating Caribbean Wellness Day observed on Saturday, September 10, head of the Caribbean Public Heath Agency (CARPHA), Dr. James Hospedales has encouraged the region to help find a solution to childhood obesity, which he said is a growing epidemic.
According to him at least one in every five of children is carrying unhealthy weight and is at risk of developing NCDs and other problems later in life.
He said with such conditions prevalent in the Region, it was important to get and use solutions that might help with these challenges.
He noted that childhood obesity is becoming a rapidly growing epidemic in the Caribbean.
“At least 1 in every 5 of our children are carrying unhealthy weights and at risk of developing NCDs and other problems later in life. With such conditions prevalent in the region, it is important to get and use solutions that might help with these challenges,” he said.
He added, “Reducing weight-related health issues is a priority for CARPHA as illustrated in the Plan for Action for Promoting Healthy Weights. The Plan supports measures to effect change at the individual and community levels, as well as to provide medical, health and family support for the child, who is already affected by overweight/obesity.”
Dr. Hospedales said CARPHA aims to stop and reverse the rise in obesity in children and adolescents in the region by 2025, and is working with Member States to support national implementation to achieve this.
“These actions will ensure that the environments in which our Caribbean children live and learn are more supportive of physical activity and healthy eating; that our communities are empowered to embrace healthy living,” he said.
The measures will include:
-establish nutrition labelling of processed foods
-reduce salt and sugar consumption
-advocate to ban the importation of products containing trans fats
-reduce marketing of unhealthy foods and “fast foods” to children
-promote physical activities
-introduce public recreational spaces
-promote consumption of local fruits and vegetables
-align taxes with nutritional value
“So, as we celebrate health and our children, I urge policy makers, communities, and each and every individual to act now,” Dr. Hospedales noted. “Let us tackle public health concerns and bring immediate positive benefits to our children’s health. Let us ensure that our children live, learn and play in safe environments as they are important to our future development.”
The cost of living is one of the main factors of eating the wrong foods. Home grown foods are more expensive than the imported foods;some people are too lazy to cook natural foods every day so they turn to the take away,parent give processed food packets for break meal to eat at school;long ago we picked or carried fruits like mangoes,guavas or coconuts to school;Friday afternoons at school was for sports;we played outside instead of sitting on a laptop ,play station or gameboy games,we made our own natural juices instead of buying lemonades at the shops,most people ate their own meat ;now almost every thing comes from abroad…the gov’t should make agriculture a priority in the country by assisting the people who needs help in doing agriculture with tools,land and livestock …walk instead of taking a vehicle to every corner.
Not only should we promote the consumption of fruits and vegetables, but we should promote the growing of fruits and vegetables. It is very easy to grow a backyard garden; even in a few pots. We can encourage community and school gardens. There was a time when having a school garden was something to be proud of. Growing corn, potatoes, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, chives, parsley, celery – this will encourage parents to cook healthy meals. For those in the Diaspora who are sending the barrels, include some packets of vegetable seeds. At the end of the summer these seeds are on sale in the US, and can easily be included in the barrel. Reducing childhood obesity is everyone’s business. Let’s do it!!!
Parents are responsible for their children’s health. Poor eating habits could commence at home. There is a tendency to use a lot of sugar and salt. We are told, use them in moderation.
When babies are born, the mother’s milk, if this is possible should be given to them. As they are weaned, they should drink cow or goat’s milk, whatever is available.
When they commence eating solid foods, only give them what is sufficient for their age; do not overfeed them. For older ones, if they feel hungry, it is better to give them a fruit as desert.
Give them some milk or water; no pop or very little. Go easy on processed or fast foods, if none at all.
Drink homemade lime/lemon and orange juice or other healthy homemade juices. Give them an orange or other citrus fruits.
Ginger beer and sorrel are appropriate but with very little sugar.
Rather than processed meats for breakfast/sandwiches give them eggs and cheese which are not fattening but healthy, especially eggs.
Would these not help to keep them in tip top shape, healthily? Some form of exercise as walking would also help.
Some adults/children eat late at nights and soon after go to bed. The food did not have time to digest. This could also contribute to obesity. If it is possible, it would be better to eat a heavy meal for lunch. Do not eat two heavy meals a day. This is another contributing factor to obesity in anyone.
Parents make more and spend more money. Also every one wants to get a barrel which is usually loaded with processed foods! From the USA of course!
Caribbean people have become lazy and greedy.Our people have become dependent on processed foods from the USA,SO THIS IS THE PRICE THEY ARE PAYING.