BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE value of leading a healthy lifestyle and the consequences of making bad health choices were showcased and demonstrated yesterday (Apr. 7) by the Ministry of Health during its observance of World Health Day.
This year’s theme is “Urban Health Matters” and in commemoration of it the Ministry transformed the lower section of Fort Street into a health avenue, on which a number of booths and demonstration areas were established in promotion of increased vegetable and fruit consumption as well as increased physical activity.
Locally grown goods including tomatoes, sweet potatoes, bell peppers, guavas, green bananas and pumpkin were available for purchase. A number of these items were accompanied with a list of the nutritional facts that consumers can use to assist them in developing healthier eating habits.
Taekwondo and cheerleading exhibits were also an integral part of the health fair. From splits to dips to vertical throws and catches, to kicks and punches, the performances provided a welcomed and appreciated spectacle for onlookers. Notwithstanding their entertaining value, according to officials from the Ministry of Health, the physical benefits to be gained from engaging in these activities could not be overemphasised.
Director of Community Based Health Services in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Hazel Williams-Roberts, told SKNVibes that the Ministry, acting upon its interpretation of the theme, decided to have a less-traditional health fair.
“World Health Day has been celebrated every year on the 7th April, and this year the theme is ‘Urban Health Matters’, so we wanted to do an activity in the urban setting and that is why we picked Fort Street. In our interpretation of the theme, we would pick two very important pillars of a healthy lifestyle, so we decided to showcase increasing your consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables along with physical activity. So we’ve partnered with a number of organisations to have this physical display...We wanted to show people alternatives as opposed to the traditional weightlifting.”
Dr. Williams-Roberts said it has become necessary for the Ministry to employ more innovative health awareness and education schemes, especially in light of the prevalence of specific health-related issues.
“The last survey that we had done, we found that the majority of the population that we surveyed was already overweight, so we know there is an abundance of risk factors…Being overweight is associated with a number of complications: increased blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, problems related to your joints…And so we have been trying to find a lot of innovative ways in order to impact on that.
“For example, we have been working on the draft nutritional guidelines which would be similar to the American pyramid. We’ve also been trying to give people opportunities to engage in physical activities. So we launched a fitness group where persons have an opportunity to exercise on a regular basis in Independence Square. Again, that is consistent with the urban theme. The fact that when people cluster in cities, you crowd out the spaces available for them to engage in meaningful physical activities.”
Speaking specifically to the success of the fair, Williams-Roberts expressed, “It has been quite engaging with the general public. They have come in and they have seen the displays. Most of the venders here have had persons patronise their business, so I think it’s been going very well.”
