The Caribbean Association of Nutritionists and Dietitians (CANDi) is today celebrating Caribbean Nutrition Day under the theme: ‘Healthy Eating and Active Living – Steps to Health’.
The theme emphasizes the need for a balanced diet and physical activities as essential for a healthy lifestyle.
In the release, President of CANDi Nicole Alexander acknowledged that “there are challenges as we seek to educate and motivate our Caribbean people towards improved lifestyles”. She noted too that “chronic diseases continue to rip through our region like a tornado strangling countries in its path and increasing mortality statistics.”
The release called on Caribbean citizens to eat less salt, sugar and fat while urging that more dietary fibre be consumed. The body also encouraged the consumption of adequate amounts of water and exercise.
Alexander pointed out that a Caricom Summit on chronic non-communicable diseases held in September 2007, noted that in the region as well as globally, “the chronic diseases of concern are heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases”. These are caused by biological factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, high blood sugar and high blood cholesterol. It was noted too that the Caribbean is the region of the Americas “worst affected by the endemic of chronic disease.” It was also stated that “the human and economic cost burden of these conditions is not sustainable and could undermine the development of these small, fragile countries.”
