Make Exercise a Daily Habit – Dr. Tufton
By: , August 19, 2016The Key Point:
Photo: Mark Bell
Minister of Health, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton (centre), participates in an exercise, at the launch of Caribbean Wellness Day, on August 17, at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in Kingston. Under the theme ‘Love your body; Treat your body right’, Caribbean Wellness Day will be observed on September 10. Also taking part (from left) are Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO) Country Representative, Dr. Noreen Jack; and Director, Health Promotion and Protection, Dr. Sonia Copeland.The Facts
- He noted that the Jamaica Moves (#JaMoves) national campaign, to be launched later this year, is part of efforts to get citizens to exercise more.
- Persons are encouraged to reduce the intake of salty and processed foods, fats and oils, sugary foods and drinks and avoid smoking, and abuse of alcohol.
The Full Story
Health Minister, Dr. the Hon. Christopher Tufton, is again imploring Jamaicans to make exercise a daily habit, in order to avoid non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancers, hypertension and diabetes.
Citing statistics from the ‘Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey’, he noted that nearly half of Jamaicans are classified as engaging in very limited physical activity.
“Many NCDs are directly related to physical inactivity. Twenty-one to 25 per cent of breast and colon cancers, 27 per cent of diabetes and 30 per cent of heart diseases are directly linked to the lifestyle of the patient,” he pointed out.
Dr. Tufton was speaking at the launch of Caribbean Wellness Day 2016 on August 17 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston.
He noted that the Jamaica Moves (#JaMoves) national campaign, to be launched later this year, is part of efforts to get citizens to exercise more.
“Jamaica Moves will encourage Jamaicans to customise an approach to enable you to pursue a level of physical activity that enhances your health,” Dr. Tufton said.
The initiative aims to promote interventions at the community level to encourage exercise and healthy lifestyle habits. It will include public education and the establishment of walking trails.
Jamaica Moves will be complemented by the Ministry’s continued drive to promote proper nutrition through the Food-Based Dietary Guidelines launched last year.
The guidelines contain common foods in Jamaica, and how these can be combined in a healthy and balanced diet, incorporating the recommended servings of fruits, vegetables, peas, beans and nuts.
Additionally, there is a Physical Activity Guide and Toolkit for the Workplace, which was launched in 2015, to establish an environment within the workplace that facilitates increased physical activity.
Persons are encouraged to reduce the intake of salty and processed foods, fats and oils, sugary foods and drinks and avoid smoking, and abuse of alcohol.
Caribbean Wellness Day will be observed on September 10 under the theme: ‘Love your body; Treat your body right’.
It aims to highlight the importance of healthy diet and exercise within the population.