Studies show that there are influencing factors associated with food choices among children and adolescents, which include hunger, appetite, taste, money, food prices, education, preparation, media messaging/ marketing, cultural practices, parental attitudes, nutrition knowledge and living conditions, just to list a few.

In focusing on children and teens, poor nutrition affects their growth and development, cognitive functions, contributes to disease, academic performance, productivity, and one’s health and nutritional status.

Dietary intakes during these early years of the lifecycle remain critical for supporting growth and development; for example, in childhood, adequate nutrition is required for developing bones, teeth, muscles, and blood. Similarly, during the period of adolescence, there is rapid growth and development that affect physical and psychosocial aspects of health, and increase nutrient needs.

Nutrition education Having knowledge of nutrition during childhood and adolescence can be beneficial; therefore, nutrition education is an essential key in promoting health and wellness in populations.

Healthcare professionals can work together collaboratively.

Nutrition education should be provided by trained food and nutrition professionals (registered dietitians and nutritionists) to children, adolescents, parents/guardians, educators, and to persons in various community settings, such as schools, community and/or health centres, and churches, which can make a big difference.

This of course can include teaching children and adolescents about nutrient content of foods, explaining why making healthy foods choices are better, for example, choosing foods that are less salty, choosing water and limiting sugary beverages as well as helping children and parents/ guardians to understand the life-long implications associated with poor eating habits in childhood and adolescence leading to adulthood.

Childhood obesity Studies show that obesity in children and teens, can possibly lead to obesity in adulthood.

Energy imbalance, simply meaning, consuming more food than the body needs for growth, functioning, and physical activity; the extra calories consumed can lead to weight gain. Other factors contributing to childhood obesity include genetics, metabolism, lack of physical activity, environmental factors, and social and individual psychology.

Childhood obesity remains a major concern in the Caribbean; it contributes to the onset of chronic non-communicable diseases and other challenges. Obesity can have long-term impact on one’s physical, social and emotional health.

In TT , from a study conducted by the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute, 2009 to 2010, it reported that among primary schoolchildren and secondary school students, 23 per cent and 25 per cent, respectively were overweight and obese, and 14 per cent underweight (Ministry of Health, 2011).

From a global perspective, the World Health Organization documented that large numbers of children who are overweight and obese reside in developing countries, and the rate increase noted to be more than 30 per cent higher, than in developed countries. A continuation of these current trends, show that overweight and obese infants and young children will increase to approximately 70 million by the year 2025. They also emphasised that without intervention obese infants and young children, may more than likely continue to be obese during childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.

Overall, you should note that nutrition education will more than likely contribute in reducing or lowering one’s potential risk for chronic diseases childhood obesity and aid in promoting healthy lifestyles.

From this brief overview, nutrition education programmes are designed to help students and their families make changes in dietary practices; with the aim of adopting healthy eating behaviours and improvement in physical activity habits. Through effective nutrition education children learn about healthy eating through action, experience, and participation.

Also, nutrition education needs to be linked with life outside of the classroom.

Claudette Mitchell, PhD, RD is an Assistant Professor, University of the Southern Caribbean, School of Science, Technology

Chief Justice Ivor Archie said a sitting judge being appointed to the JLSC was “perfectly permissible” within the boundaries of the constitution.

The Commission’s constitution states that its members should include the Chief Justice, head of the Public Service Commission, a sitting or retired judge and two persons with legal qualifications.

Earlier this year, the United National Congress, challenged the composition of the JLSC claiming that a retired judge does not fall in the last category, which was meant for lawyers.

In dismissing the lawsuit, the Court of Appeal agreed with State attorneys who claimed that judges were attorneys before their appointment and were still qualified after retirement, albeit without permission to appear before courts for ten years. The UNC has since taken the matter to the Privy Council.

Speaking about Pemberton’s qualifications, Archie said those made her a very valuable addition to the JLSC. He said she held a diploma in International Arbitration and she was the first person in the hemisphere to achieve a perfect score.

“That is testament to her commitment to excellence and meticulous attention to detail which is one of the qualities I know she will bring to the work of the JLSC,” he said.

Archie said it was a happy day for the country because in spite of the vilification and attacks people go through because they want to serve their country, Carmona had been successful in persuading people of this calibre to offer themselves to national service and the country could be grateful and proud.

Also sworn-in yesterday was Chairman of the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) Dr Fazal Ali and its members, Joanne Joseph-Hannays, Elizabeth Crouch and Anushka Anya Alcazar.

He said the Commission was a very important group of people who had acquired competencies to deal with all that awaits them.

He said, “In producing teachers who help students pass exams we also need to produce teachers who build human capacities, great human beings that is what we need in TT,” he said.

Kangaloo made her appeal as senators delivered Republic Day greetings in the Senate .

Kangaloo said while this country had been blessed during its 41 years as a republic, thoughts and prayers should be extended to people in other Caricom countries at this time .

In delivering greetings on behalf of the Government, Trade and Industry Minister Paula Gopee- Scoon said TT had recorded many achievements and there was much to celebrate. She also noted the country continued to have many challenges and urged citizens to join hands in dealing with them. Opposition Senator Wade Mark said TT still had a long way to go in realising its full potential as a republic. Mark described recent attacks on local media personnel as an example of this .

Independent Senator Dr Dhanayshar Mahabir said Republic Day offered citizens the opportunity to, “reflect on our maturity.”

However, he was uncertain whether there were any tangible returns on this investment, in terms of reducing crime in the country.

He wondered whether more money could be invested in education or in the courts, as other avenues to reducing crime. Roach also questioned whether parliamentary time was being efficiently used to treat with this kind of legislation. He said while Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi was well intentioned in bringing this bill to Parliament, the legislation must be communicated to the citizens in a way that would allow them to understand its benefits for them.

When I got to Fatima College that was the one thing I wanted to do. Join the cadets.

I could never have guessed the ride I was in for.

It was hard and our unit saw several ups and downs, but the lessons I learned and the amazing friends I made helped to change my life. I joined as a shy boy, who cried when he looked around and didn’t see anyone he knew, and developed into to being bold and very driven to succeed.

I’ve met several people who have spoken about the impact this organisation has had on their lives. It was amazing, however, to hear people speak about how they saw it impacting on other people’s lives.

I recall a conversation with Prof Winston Suite at UWI, who told me he could look at a class of engineering students from around the Caribbean and tell who were cadets from Barbados, Jamaica, TT etc and who were not. I have heard parents address the dramatic changes to their children, boys and girls, who joined the cadet force. The stories are amazing.

Rodney Brown always tells the story that as a teen he had a choice between what he saw as two polar opposites: cadets or a gang. He chose the cadets and now he singles that one decision as the reason he is still alive. Today he can boast of having mentored countless young people through the government youth camps, is a major and a chaplain in the TT CF, and is in full-time ministry at his church, after leaving the government service.

Similarly, I recall a young man telling me that when his parents’ marriage ended and he felt there was no reason to continue living, he relied on his unit’s officer and warrant officer (adult staff) and his fellow cadets to pull him out of that dark place.

It is not that he could rely on them for suicide counselling, but while he never let anyone know what was happening in his birth family, he substituted his adopted Cadet Force family and found the encouragement and strength to continue.

His strongest words to me were that when he was taught to overcome the obstacles in front of him in training, his officer was (inadvertently) speaking to his emotional and psychological issues. I must add that we had this conversation at his store, a well-known mobile phone store. A young person enters the Cadet Force most times at the age of 11 or 12 years old at the beginning of their secondary school career. Within a year, as they learn military type subjects, they are subjected to lessons which build confidence, initiative and leadership.

By the age of 13, many of them are capable of leading and mentoring 30 or more of their peers.

By 17, they can lead 100 peers. This is no idle boast as by 17 some of them actually do lead 100 young people as a company sergeant major.

Cadets go on to be leaders wherever they go. The tested programme of developing strong citizens by using “military methods” rings true to me and countless others who were once cadets, or who have lived or worked with us.

Since its inception in May 1910, the Cadet Force has changed the lives of innumerable people who now serve as mechanics, cooks, painters, politicians, government ministers, CEOs and military personnel.

This letter is a short homage to the force — and I pray it continues for 100 more years, changing lives — and the men and women who volunteer their time to mentor our young.

Thank you for stepping forward. Thank you for your service.

Thank you TTCF.

MAURICE BURKE San Juan

As with previous years, she reiterated: “The only ‘cure’ for breast cancer is early detection, and that’s what we will be seeking to promote through this year’s Pink Tea which is more than an event, it’s a positive movement.”s The Pink Tea 2017 comes off on October 22, at Chaud Café, One Woodbrook Place, Woodbrook, from 4 pm. But patrons will have an added treat in that they and fashion muses, sent by designers from across the country, will walk the pink carpet. Patrons are also encouraged to wear touches of pink, and muses must wear their designers’ interpretations of the theme, Volume.

On the day Trend Media will interview the designers and their muses, and it is expected that local press, fashion bloggers and social media influencers will create added awareness through their media.

Jones-Hunte said: “Trinidad and Tobago has a very high social media penetration rate. It was important that the event engaged a wider audience than the few who can afford to donate – especially in these challenging economic times.” Young people will be actively engaged in fund-raising, hear messages about how simple acts like a breast self-exam in the shower, can save lives and see women who have survived breast cancer – and are alive to tell the tale, Jones- Hunte said.

Proceeds will go to the Associates of the Radiotherapy Centre (ARC) in St James, though Jones- Hunte continues to support the Trinidad and Tobago Cancer Society (TTCS) that benefited from last year’s event.

From this year’s Pink Tea, promotions by the event partners at their businesses will be done and funds derived from them will be sent directly to the TTCS, or they will offer discounts to event supporters.

Jones-Hunte is particularly pleased with the support the event has received from organisations such as the Pink Hibiscus Breast Health Clinic in particular, with its general manager Melissa Roberts stating: “I hope The Pink Tea and the Pink Hibiscus will be breast friends forever.”

So at the risk of being considered heartless, I am not amused that so much time, effort and resources are being expended to bring home the “foreign” nationals from hurricane-ravaged countries. I also speak for many who share this opinion but wish to remain silent.

Let me be clear. I have no problem with helping any citizen who is ordinarily resident in TT but who might have been away on vacation or on a shortterm work assignment and just happened to get caught in the storm.

My problem is with those who choose to live/work abroad and, at the first sign of trouble, beg to be brought “home.” Not all, but many of them (I know some) are quick to badtalk TT , wondering at the “stupidity” of those who choose to love TT no matter what.

The Government and others would do well to use their energies and resources to help those who live here and who are really “ketching their tail” to eke out a living.

Heaven knows, there are many patriotic citizens who need help.

Why waste resources on less patriotic ones?

A CHARLES Mt Hope

One of the attorneys for some of the ten men, who have convinced President Anthony Carmona to send their cases back to the appellate court, to consider Grandison’s subsequent declaration that he lied under oath, have asked for a subpoena to ensure he attends court. In 2015, three years after Grandison swore a statement saying he lied at the trial, President Carmona agreed to have the case remitted to the Court of Appeal to consider this new evidence of the prosecution’s then main witness.

Grandison swore in a declaration dated June 1, 2011, that evidence he gave at the trial, “was false and did not represent the truth.” He was the main witness in the trial of Michael “Rat” Maharaj, Samuel Maharaj, Damian “Tommy” Ramiah, Bobby Ramiah, Seenath “Farmer” Ramiah, Daniel “Fella” Gopaul, Richard Huggins, Leslie Huggins, Mark “Bico” Jaikaran and Junior “Heads” Phillips.

The ten were convicted on August 7, 2001, after a trial which lasted 33 days. They lost their appeals but escaped the hangman’s noose because of the delay in hearing their appeals at the London Privy Council. Their sentences were commuted to life imprisonment.

In his submissions to Justices of Appeal Alice Yorke-Soo Hon, Prakash Moosai and Rajendra Narine, Edward Fitzgerald, QC, who represents Damian Ramiah, urged the judges to accept Grandison’s sworn declaration contained in an affidavit given by attorney Gerald Ramdeen and audio recording of a conversation Grandison had in May of this year with Michael Maharaj, in which he repeated what was said in his 2011 statement.

In objection, special State prosecutor Travers Sinanan submitted the evidence of Grandison and the telephone conversation were not capable of belief and cannot be accepted at face value.

He said Grandison must go into the witness box and give evidence and allow himself to be cross-examined.

The court ordered that Grandison give his evidence when the matter resumes next Tuesday

The company, which is at the centre of a fake oil scandal involving state owned oil company Petrotrin, has also invited journalists to a tour of its operations in Penal.

The invitation was contained in a media release yesterday issued by the law firm of Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj, which is representing A & V Oil and Gas Limited in its legal battle with Petrotrin.

Petrotrin has since stopped payments to the company following an audit report which detailed alleged discrepancies.

The statement was signed by A & V Oil and Gas Limited chief executive officer, Hanif Baksh.

“The company has received legal advice from its attorneys and notwithstanding the strict legal rights which exist for the enjoyment of one’s property, the company tenders its apologies and accepts that it has an obligation in this matter to cooperate with the media to facilitate and provide to the media and to the public, information in respect of the allegations levelled against it,” the company stated.

The company noted that the allegations regarding the fake oil scandal involve the expenditure of public funds by a state owned company in which the public had a vested right to know the relevant facts and to make its assessment regarding said allegations.

The media tour has been carded for September 21 at the company’s Nazim Avenue, San Francique, Penal base.

A press conference is also expected to be held on September 23 where the company’s attorneys, together with an official with technical knowledge, will answer questions. The fake oil scandal was made public by UNC political leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar during an address at a meeting of the UNC on September 10.

The Prime Minister, speaking last week on the fake oil issue, publicly confirmed that Baksh is his friend. The PM also vowed that whether friend or not, PNM or not, anyone caught in corruption and fraud will have to account.

Reading from a copy of an internal audit report prepared by Petrotrin, Persad-Bissessar said the audit team had concluded that a lease operator at the Catskill field defrauded the company of almost $100 million by inflating its oil production figures.

Meanwhile, the TT Publishers & Broadcasters Association (TTPBA) said it has noted with great concern the pattern of treatment being meted out toward journalists. In a media release yesterday, the association stated, “We reaffirm that it is our responsibility to protect and preserve the right of citizens of Trinidad and Tobago to know.

“As such, we view an infringement against our practitioners as an infringement against freedom of speech and freedom of information.” The Association is calling on law enforcement to investigate “these matters” saying it “will continue to monitor these situations in defence of the free media.”

Maria is expected to hit hardest the islands of Dominica, St Kitts/Nevis and Puerto Rico .

It was revealed that several Grenadian lawyers left Dominica on Sunday to head back home, hoping to avoid the wrath of Maria, after Irma left devastation, death and destruction as she wrought her havoc on the Leeward Islands .

According to meteorologist at the MSTT Jean-Marc Rampersad, he said the northern path Maria was taking was usually more intense and Antigua and Guadeloupe were expected to receive winds up to 130 miles per hour, or in excess. After recently receiving a battering from Hurricane Irma Rampersad said there was not much any of the islands could do .

“No matter what a category it is a hurricane is always devastasting and in terms of major hurricanes, there are so much prepartions that you can do to deminish the damage .

Skeritt urged Dominicans to take heed and not treat this hurricane lightley .

“This is not a time to be unreasonable. Because of our low terrain there are persons who would wait for something to happen in order to take action .

I think people should clean up around their properties instead of stockpiling for weeks of food and other supplies .

“Our focus should be focussed on work in our rural communities .

Dot no misuse your phone and data use .

All of this can wait until the systen has passed .

Think of any elderly or indigent person who you feel would be vulnerable under these conditions, and if possible take them to your home or a nearby shelter,” he urged .

Skerritt said the country’s ministry of health had fully activated its emergency system and health systems were in place .

“I am also advising all that we should treat with the approach of a hurricane seriously, take no chances. We have planned for this hurricane season, but do not let us take this hurricane for granted .

There will be full security for citizens and we have prepared legal insurance whether we have to prepare a curfew for the entire or parts of the country, to avoid any lawless actions by those who would engage in such,” he said .

He added: “Residents who are in flood prone areas should relocate instead of trying get across the river when it’s breaking its bank .

St Lucia prime minister Allen M Chastanet aid the isalnd was not looking for much damagae except for landslides and landslips .

He said those in low lying areas would be moved as a precautionary measure .