-as Nutrition Awareness Week is celebrated
IN an effort to encourage the public to improve lifestyle activities, a health fair was held Thursday at the Diamond Community Centre ground in keeping with Nutrition Awareness Week, under the theme “Healthy eating and active living.” Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy said that in order for one to be healthy, so as to live longer, the right approach must be taken in food choices, since poor food choices and persons being less active contribute to the increased rate in diabetes, hypertension, obesity and other chronic diseases.
Minister Ramsammy also mentioned the need for measuring one’s Body Mass Index (BMI) which is a measure of body fat based on height and weight.
He also highlighted that the ministry will promote the importance of breastfeeding during this Nutrition Awareness Week, as he noted that breast milk contains all the nutrients a baby needs until ready for complementary feeding.
He also urged Guyanese to follow the seven food based guidelines so that their life expectancy can increase, including eating foods that are low in fat, using less salt, indulging in physical activity and exercising daily.
The focus of Nutrition Awareness Week this year is to encourage Guyanese to make wise food choices and to be physically active through a variety of leisure-time, occupational and household activities. (GINA)