THE THEME FOR THIS YEAR’S OBSERVANCE IS “HEALTHY EATING AND ACTIVE LIVING: SUPPORT POLICIES THAT PROMOTE HEALTHY FOOD ENVIRONMENTS”.
Annually, the month of June is observed as Caribbean Nutrition Awareness Month. This observance is an initiative adopted by the Caribbean Association of Nutritionists and Dietitians. The theme for this year’s observance is “Healthy Eating and Active Living: Support Policies That Promote Healthy Food Environments”.
The objective is to promote healthy eating and encourage physical activity among the citizenry within the Caribbean region, in response to the rising incidence and prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases. These include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, cancers and their associated risk factors such as overweight, high cholesterol, physical inactivity and poor eating habits.
Sound nutrition policies play key roles in safeguarding the health of the population by ensuring the availability, accessibility and affordability of nutritious foods. In the absence of nutrition-related policies, healthy eating can be challenging, especially within the school environment. These policies will ensure the consumption of safe foods to enhance and maintain good health by preventing nutritional deficiencies and diet-related diseases.
Without adequate food and nutrition policies or regulations to restrict unhealthy and harmful substances in our food, the prevalence of food related diseases worsen. Increased food related illnesses will contribute to high absenteeism and sick leave which can result in reduced productivity at work. An increase in the number of sick people will add more pressure to the health system with greater needs for hospital beds. Treating chronic diseases cost millions of dollars which can be averted; by being proactive in disease prevention rather than having to manage the poor health outcome from poor dietary habits. Implementing effective nutrition policies will have a positive effect on the health outcome for the people of St Lucia.
It is therefore prudent that both the private and public sector, have adequate food and nutrition policies that promote healthy consumption of food to protect the workforce. Healthier people are more alert, more focused, more energetic, enthusiastic and therefore more productive.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs will continue to work with all relevant institutions to sensitize the public on healthy habits that will promote good overall health with the focus on the schools. It is critical for schools to foster a healthy food environment to optimize the developmental potential of our children.
As a country we must pledge to invest in our health and that of our families. The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs is extending an invitation to both the private and public sectors including workplaces, faith-based organizations, civil society organizations, schools and clubs to join us in pledging for good nutrition for five days or more. Pledge to drink adequate water, reduce sugar intake, eat more vegetables and fruits and to be more physically active.
Let this be the commencement of a new era for healthy behaviours that we can continue throughout the year, one step at a time.
Happy Nutrition Awareness Month to all.
A Message from the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs.