Call for Wider Ban on Sugary Drinks

By Tonisha Rock-Yaw

A report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) said in Latin America and the Caribbean obesity currently affects around one quarter of the population, while about 60 per cent of the population is overweight.

The report found that a combination of excessive calorie consumption, unbalanced diets and declining activity levels were fuelling a growing burden of overweight and obesity in various countries across the world.

In Barbados one in three children and teens age two to 19 are considered overweight or obese. Two out of three do not get any daily physical activity. President of the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Barbados Dr. Kenneth Connell considered these statistics alarming and expressed concerned with the high rate of obesity among young people in Barbados. He said more needs to be done to ensure these numbers are significantly decreased.

The call to widen the ban on sugary drinks in all schools to include communities and homes is being suggesting as a option to lower those numbers.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Indar Weir was among those who believe that this is the solution to the growing problem. He also urged young people to be more active and involved in sports as an effort to combat the serious and increasing problem of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in this country.

Noting that one in every three persons are obese or suffer from an NCD related illness; e.g. diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, Weir suggested that these sweet carbonated drinks be substituted with more natural juices.

"We have five finger, golden apples as well as cherries, there are natural alternatives we can use and as it relates to healthy foods, we are encouraging canteens and persons who feed our young children to be mindful of the products they use daily. This problem, if it’s not a holistic effort will continue to increase the numbers which will be dreadful to any country because there is a cost involved to Government’s medical expense," Weir said.

His plea was made at the third training session for vendors and school canteen operators at The St. Michael's School.

Comments

Of Critters and Characters

photo by Adriana Murray By Adriana Murray Barbados’ rich history is embedded in local characters which adorned our cultural experience. Characters like Ossiemoore, the steel donkey and the cane cutter are more than figments of our imagination or fanciful images that dance in our heads. But when you may ask did these now ever-present roots surface and become visible facets of our cultural landscape? Come with me as we venture into the well-known to some or almost-forgotten world of Barbadian heritage. Cane cutters depicted by Artist John Stuart To the islands boats came laden with African men and women headed for plantations naked but fully wrapped in the familiar beliefs and superstitions of their forefathers. To the aristocratic mind their foibles may quite often be seen as folly. Yet to the hard and dark cruelty of plantation life they developed colorful stories that brought wonder and mystery. It may have...

The new normal - Feature story

By: Symphony Griffith Okay, let’s face it! Working from home is the new normal. Many companies worldwide have had to use unconventional measures to continue operations in order to help control the spread of COVID-19 among their employees and companies. Our island Barbados is certainly no exception. Photo of the offshore company (Online photo) Sandra is a supervisor at an offshore company based in Barbados. Her duties range from managing administrative analysts, to making sure that all information is accurate to get into the Asian and European markets. She also ensures that the products arrive to these warehouses safely and meet the needs of their customers based on their demands. As of March 29 th , along with many other employees, Sandra was tasked with the responsibilities of fulfilling her duties from home on a now day-to-day basis. In her mind, this was still slightly different from her usual working routine, which could involve her w...

Combermere win schools' football title

by Anmar Goodridge-Boyce Combermere Clinched the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Under 19 football league title despite being held to a nervy 1-1 draw at Massiah Street. The Waterford, St Michael boys needing only a point to secure the cup, were gifted a first half lead when Lamar Catlyn found the back of his own net in the fifth minute. Nathan Skeete whipped a dangerous free-kick into the box from 20 yards out and Catlyn in an effort to clear his lines booted past Joshua James in the Lodge goal. Combermere, like the school motto says were up and on but seconds later referee Clifton Garnes reduced them to 10 men, dismissing Shaquanie Phillips in an encounter where a total of five players received cautions. The numerical advantage seemed to be of little help to Lodge as James was forced to make a double save with Ajani Straughn poised to give Combermere a two-goal lead. As the game grew old, frustration filled the Society air as Lodge failed to convert a number ...

The Eyrie House

Search This Blog