THE Chronic Diseases Department of the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Harris Arts and several other entities, last Friday launched a three-month competition, dubbed “Weight No More”, in an effort to promote healthy lifestyles.

Launched at the Regency Hotel on Hadfield Street, the competition aims to promote awareness of chronic diseases and the fact that they are preventable by simply adopting healthy lifestyles.
The concept of ‘Fit it Guyana’ is an intricate blend of the science of healthy living, fashion and technology via stimulating mediums of television and social media.

On offer also is a reality television show in which ordinary Guyanese would be followed for three months in order to highlight the journey of overcoming obstacles via adopting a healthy lifestyle. In interviews, participants would be asked about their chronic diseases, and how they have been dealing with them.

Merundoi Project Operations Manager Durwin Humphrey highlighted how Merundoi would work along with the Health Ministry to cause this competition to succeed.

The show would consist of numerous segments focusing on different areas of healthy living. The ‘Fit body’ segment would highlight aspects of physical health, and would also feature interviews with doctors, nutritionists and other public figures.

The ‘Fit Mind’ segment would focus on aspects of mental and psychological health, and would feature interviews with medical professionals.

The ‘Tech Fit’ segment would highlight how technology is evolving to assist healthy living.
There would also be a ‘Fashion Fit’ segment, which would allow competitors to walk the runway in style, and get advice on how to maintain their physique after losing weight.

A segment called ‘Surprise of the week’ would feature a spontaneous visit from an influential member of the Guyanese society to interact and encourage the competitors in the competition.

Travis Smith, representing Harris Arts, gave an overview of the competition, stating that Guyanese would also be able to share their thoughts on the ‘Street talk’ segment of the show. Participants would be recipients of ‘giveaways’.
Merundoi would be on board with the Health Ministry for this competition by working along with a similar storyline to promote the prevention of certain diseases; and Humphrey said the entity was honoured to be part of this unique campaign. He said “our aim is “modelling, fostering, and reinforcing healthy choices and lifestyles through innovative public education, (and by) facilitating positive behaviour change utilising the creative arts and mass media platforms.”

Karen Gordon-Boyle, coordinator of the Ministry of Health’s Chronic Disease Department, highlighted that 60% of all deaths is due to chronic diseases. She said 80% of chronic diseases-related deaths occur in low or middle income countries, and among the leading causes of deaths in Guyana are heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and hypertension.