Carnival not the only time for good health

It seems people make the best choices about diet and exercise in the period between Christmas and Carnival, but the Health Ministry yesterday appealed to people “to make those healthy choices beyond this time.” Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Health Ministry, Chrisendath Mahabir, said to look good for Carnival should not be the only reason to avoid obesity. He also reminded that making healthy choices about diet and exercise did not mean looking like a “waif thin model.” In the period leading up to Carnival, the gyms are overcrowded, the savannah “turns into a sedentary treadmill” and the cycle tracks in Chaguanas have the most traffic. Mahabir said next year only four weeks separate Christmas Day from Carnival Monday. He advised those who want to look like Mr or Miss Universe in their costume to start preparing early.

Mahabir was the feature speaker at the launch of the North West Regional Health Authority’s Health Promotion month activities at Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope. The theme chosen by the NWRHA is “Pass it on — Healthy Living is in Style.” Referring to the popularity of fast food, he said TT is home to the most profitable fast food outlets per square food in the world. He said “we love our fast food,” and increasingly young people are consuming unhealthy snacks while watching television “images of a society whose media almost seems to glorify overeating, over indulgence and inactivity.” In 1999, the Caribbean Community (Caricom) recognised that obesity was increasing in the region. Mahabir said a recently published report tracks an increase in the prevalence of obesity, mainly adults, but also in adolescents and infants in the region.

Mahabir said there has been concomitant increases in nutrition-related chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart attacks, stroke and some forms of cancer. Higher diabetes mortality rates in the region have also been linked to obesity, high fat diets and sedentary lifestyles. Mahabir said TT had many options for activity that extends beyond the gym. He said a trip to Maracas Beach is an opportunity to walk, play football, beach tennis, a swim, body surf etc. “We are lucky here in Trinbago, because if you make the right choices, you can balance all the sweet life TT has to offer. If you want to over indulge, over indulge in activity.”

For Health Promotion Month, the NWRHA has targetted teachers at four schools in each of the education districts — St George East, St George West, St George Central and Caroni. The programme will take place April 20 - June 30 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The teachers will be given blood, cholesterol, and blood sugar testing as well as health information for them to disseminate to their students ages 11-14 years. Carol Ann Senah, Deputy Director, Health Promotion at the Ministry, advised the NWRHA to be prepared to support public awareness about healthy lifestyles. Saying that the public can visit health centres for cholesterol and other tests and receive their results on physical activity, she wondered if nutrition counselling and education would be provided.

“Do we have the drugs available for reducing cholesterol? Do we have the entire package to help our clientele manage their health?” Senah asked. She said assistance should be provided for those who want to maintain good health and those with chronic and other diseases who want to manage their health. Blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol testing was available to EWMSC staff after the launch. Those tested were given a “Healthy Lifestyle Passport” to record all diagnostic results for three years.