THE Ministry of Health Food Policy Division, last Friday, hosted a health fair at the Lusignan Market Tarmac in observance of Nutrition Awareness Week 2012. Persons from Lusignan and surrounding communities benefited from the services offered at the health fair which included free blood sugar and blood pressure testing. Nutrition Community Officer of the Ministry of Health, Ms. Diekola Gittens explained: “We’re here to encourage persons to eat a variety of foods from the six food groups and have physical activity be a part of their daily habit. We’re also promoting the use of less fats and oils when cooking, using foods that are low in fat, using less salt when preparing meals and so on.”
Ms. Gittens summed up the seven Food Based Dietary Guidelines (FBDGs) which were depicted in several booths at the fair.

These are:
* Everyday, eat a mix of food from the six (6) different food groups
* Grow, store and prepare foods in a clean and safe way
* Use less salt in your food
* Eat foods that are low in fat
* Use less fats and oils in preparing and cooking 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.

Also participating in the health fair were Rehabilitating Service, Regional Health Services; Guyana Marketing Corporation, Ministry of Agriculture and Namilco.
In addition to those who specifically attended the health fair, the event also attracted persons who were at the market.
Since 1995, Nutrition Awareness Week is observed in the third week of July every year. This year it is being observed between July 15 and July 21 under the theme: “Healthy Eating and Active Living: Food Based Dietary Guidelines in Focus”. The beginning of the week was marked by a health walk on Sunday July 15, 2012. (Nadine Sanchara)