PRESS RELEASE – THE Ministry of Health is placing special prominence on nurturing healthy lifestyles in students across the island and a ban on sodas and sugary treats is the main thrust of the message of the Nutrition Unit to schools around the island.
The Nutrition Unit in the Ministry of Health and Wellness says it is employing new strategies in an effort to sensitize the entire school population on the dangers of excessive consumption of sugars and sodas.
On March 28th, the Unit visited the Vide Bouteille Secondary School, as their first target.
Nutritionist in the Ministry of Health Fadia Campbell explained:
“We have a skit to highlight the dangers of excess consumption of soft drinks and we also have some displays that will tell the students the number of teaspoons of sugar that is safe.
“So, we really want our student population to adopt healthier lifestyles by eating more fruits and vegetables and their peas, beans, legumes and also to drink lots of water and also be very active.
“We are excited and we have our very staff to put on that skit”.
Campbell underscored the importance of engaging in healthy lifestyle practices.
She added: “There is a great association between excessive sweetened beverage consumption and diabetes, obesity, heart disease and you are talking about the chronic non-communicable diseases.
“Also, there is research to show there is the association with asthma, bone disease.
“So, it’s a number of health-related diseases that are associated with soft drink consumption and not just soft drink, but excess sugar consumption.”