St. Kitts – Nevis Promotes Good Nutrition
Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
June 02, 2008 (SKNIS)
Following closely on the heels of Eat Local Day, residents of St. Kitts and Nevis are being encouraged to eat nutritious meals as part of overall health promotion.
This is the focus of Nutrition Week, which runs from June 01 to 07 and is being held under the theme: “Healthy Eating and Active Living: Be Aware of Trans Fats.” Instituted by the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI) and coordinated locally by the Nutrition Unit of the Ministry of Health, the week features activities for all ages.
Yesterday’s (June 01) activities were the Opening Statement by Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Patrick Martin, the featuring of aspects of the theme on “A Voice for Health” (ZIZ) and the reading of the Statement by Director of CFNI, Dr., Fitzroy Henry during Church Services around the island.
Today’s (June 02) activity is for children and called Plant a Tree Extravaganza. Personnel from the Nutrition Unit and Ministry of Health went to Beach Allen and Dr. William Connor Primary Schools as well as the C. A. Paul Southwell Industrial Site Preschool and planted fruit trees. The objective is to have students involved in the planting and care of a tree. Once the tree bears fruit, students of the school will be encouraged to eat them, thus promoting the inclusion of fruit in a balanced diet.
The event was carried out in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture.
On Tuesday and Wednesday the activities are for all members of the general public. Tuesday is dubbed Booth Day and booths will be erected on the Bayfront close to Shoreline Plaza while Wednesday is Buy a Fruit Day and the General Public is encouraged to buy and eat fruit.
Thursday event is more for the adult population and the activity is a Public Lecture with the topic “Living Well with Diabetes”. It will be presented by Dr. Caroline Lawrence and Dr. Andrew Holness at the University Centre at 7:00 p.m.
Friday and Saturday’s activities are for the younger generation. On Friday, preschoolers will be given an opportunity to take part in a Fun Walk with Fruit and Vegetables. They will process through Basseterre in simple costume with fruit and vegetables, starting from Independence Square at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, nutrition week will be featured on Totally for Kids and will be the subject of a quiz. Information will also be provided on the topic “Fats in the Diet.”