Rahael: Youths getting fat

ATTENTION must be paid to instilling the value of healthy living in our youths, especially since global statistics show that last year 22 million children under five years old were obese and overweight. More than 17 million of them live in developing countries like Trinidad and Tobago. And with obesity directly linked to chronic diseases like hypertension, cardiac failure, certain cancers and other organ failure, Health Minister John Rahael said such emerging conditions are definite threats to health and development.

Speaking at yesterday’s launching of the Ministry’s health promotion month at Crowne Plaza, Port-of-Spain, Rahael recognised that such lifestyle diseases are brought on by the habits we adopt, and as a result doctors are seeing an increase in the number of adolescents who are developing Type Two diabetes. He stressed good nutrition must be encouraged and fast food rewards and treats are not the way to raise healthy children. The minister noted that lifestyle diseases place a tremendous burden on the health system in terms of providing medication and hospital services. He suggested that parents encourage their children in regular physical activities, leading by example, which will also result in mental health benefits. Rahael said a 1993 World Bank report estimated that for every dollar spent on a child’s health, seven dollars were returned through reduced spending on social welfare and increased productivity of youngsters as well as adults.

The ministry’s chief medical officer, Dr Rohit Doon, said 20 percent of children were diagnosed with minimal mental functional impairment, 11 percent with moderate and five percent with severe cases. He said the impairment resulted in behavioural disorders if untreated in terms of educational failure. Echoing the concerns of a child’s wellbeing, Fr Gerry Pantin, chairman of Servol said while many things in society can wait to be dealt with, dealing with children cannot. He pointed out that we are living “in a very sick society” with many on a path to self destruction.

He said we were beginning to accept  murders, kidnappings and incest as a part of everyday living. Fr Pantin suggested there be a joint approach between the ministry and Servol in its parent outreach programme, as well as the adolescent development programme. Families in Action chairman Ivis Gibson also said she was trying to get her child development programme established at Mt Hope to enable the underprivileged to access the services of professionals, while paediatrician Dr David Bratt said the theme of the month, “Healthy Children make Healthy Adults,” had implications for what is happening in society. He reiterated that early exposure to violent behaviours will negatively impact on young children’s lives.