“Healthy Eating &  Active Living – Steps to Health”
Message by Nicole O. Alexander, RD
(President CANDi 2009-2011, on behalf of
CANDi’s Executive Committee 2009-2011)
Caribbean Nutrition Day was first recognised six years ago by the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI) and we, as the Caribbean Association of Nutritionists and Dietitians (CANDi) embrace the opportunity this year to continue to emphasize the need to practise the Caribbean Nutrition Day’s June 01 theme: “Healthy Eating and Active Living – Steps to Health” by all peoples of the Caribbean. This theme further emphasises the need for a balanced diet and physical activity as necessities for a healthy lifestyle.
As we continue to experience various changes in the Caribbean in the areas of politics, finance and health, our peoples – human resource must pay particular attention to our lifestyles which no doubt reflects in the increase in chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs).
CANDi acknowledges that there are challenges as we seek to educate and motivate our Caribbean people towards improved lifestyles.
Chronic Diseases continue to rip through our region like a tornado strangling countries in its path and increasing mortality statistics. The CARICOM summit on chronic non–communicable diseases (CNCDs) – September 2007 – stated these alarming facts:-
1. Globally and in the Caribbean, 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.
2. The Caribbean is the Region of the Americas worst affected by the epidemic of chronic disease. The human and economic cost burden of these conditions is not sustainable and could undermine the development of these small, fragile countries.
3. Chronic diseases contributed to almost 50 per cent of disability-adjusted life years lost in the Region.
4. Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for heart disease and affects 8-30 per cent of the population.
5. Cancer accounts for 20 per cent of chronic disease mortality and in 2002, there were an estimated 459,000 deaths due to cancer, a 33 per cent increase since 1990, with major increases projected to 2020. 35 million people in the Region are currently affected by diabetes, and the WHO forecasts an increase to 64 million by 2025.
6. Heart diseases, stroke, cancer, diabetes are the main causes of death in the Caribbean
7. Diabetes and hypertension contribute significantly to heart disease and stroke
8. Diabetes is a major cause of admissions to hospital, kidney failure, blindness and limb amputations
9. Risk factors include obesity, smoking, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and alcohol abuse
10. Over one billion people are overweight or obese in the world today.
11. The societal costs of diabetes in Latin America and the Caribbean were estimated at $US65 billion in 2000.

“Whoever wants to reach a distant goal must take small steps”– Saul Bellow
Such small steps to better health are:-
1.    EAT LESS SALT:
•    Reduce table salt in cooking and adding to meals after cooking.
•    Use a wide variety of fresh seasonings and herbs.
•    Eat green fruits (chows) without addition of salt.
2.    EAT LESS SUGAR:
•    Avoid sweetened drinks. Use fresh juices and fruits.
•    Use half the amount of sugar the usual recipe requires.
3.    EAT LESS FAT:
•    Choose lower fat foods from the Six Food Groups such as low fat or skimmed milk, cheese and lower fat cuts of meat.
•    Enjoy vegetables without adding salad dressing or mayonnaise
4.    EAT MORE DIETARY FIBRE:
•    Increase consumption of fruits, vegetables and peas and beans.
•    Choose a variety of whole grain products such as whole wheat, bran, oats and barley.
5.    DRINK ENOUGH WATER: at least 6 – 10 glasses each day.
6.    EXERCISE: Brisk walking most days of the week for 30- 45 minutes at a time.
CANDi wishes you all success as you practise these steps as a regimen in your daily lives and as we forge ahead to eradicate these CNCRs: a modern scourge.