NUTRITION Awareness Week, being observed from July 16 to 21st, 2012, was yesterday ushered into Guyana with a Health Walk in Georgetown, organised by the Food Policy Division of the Ministry of Health. Staged under the theme: “Healthy Eating and Active Living:  Food-based Dietary Guidelines in Focus”, the walk commenced from outside the Ministry of Health on Brickdam at around 17:00 hours and made its way through the streets of Georgetown to culminate in a mini rally at the National Park in Thomas Lands.
Participants included staff of the Ministry of Health; representatives of non-governmental and of faith-based organisations, as well as the general public. Also playing a key role was Associated Packers Inc., Distributors of Premyum skimmed milk powder, whose employees participated in the march and distributed free samples of Premyum skimmed milk – the milk of choice, in keeping with the Food Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDG) which guard against excessive use of fat in a person’s diet.
Head of the Food Policy Division, Ms. Audrey Mofatt, outlined that Food Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) are dietary guidelines expressed in terms of food for the Guyanese population over two years of age, to help improve eating habits and promote nutritional well-being.  The guidelines address the need for Guyanese to be more conscious of their dietary choices and level of physical activity.  This is especially since health problems resulting from obesity, poor dietary choices and lack of physical activity contribute to premature mortality.

There are seven FBDGs, namely:

* Every day, eat a mix of foods from the six (6) different food groups:  staples, food from animals, legumes, vegetables, fruits, fats and oils.
* Grow, store and prepare foods in a clean and safe way
* Eat foods that are low in fat
* Use less fats and oils in preparing and cooking food
* Use less salt in your food
* Make physical activity and exercise a daily habit
* It is advisable not to drink alcohol; but for those who do, no more than one drink per day is recommended.

Meanwhile, there will be a Health Fair on Friday at the Lusignan Community Market Square, East Coast Demerara.  The programme is expected to run from 10:00 hrs to 15:00 hrs (10.00am to 3.00pm).  Services from which members of the public can benefit at the forum are free medical checks, including blood-sugar tests and blood pressure checks. (Shirley Thomas)
Dating back to 1995, Nutrition Awareness Week has been observed annually during the third week of July by the Food Policy Division of the Ministry of Health.