MPH Class of 2009 Launches Healthy Lifestyles Programme

A healthy lifestyles programme, titled ‘Live Life’, which seeks to promote the increased intake of fruits and vegetables in one’s diet, was officially launched today (February 18), at the University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona Campus.
The programme, designed by the Master of Public Health (MPH) Class of 2009, will last for three months, and is an adaptation of the Ministry of Health and Environment’s healthy lifestyle initiative.
According to a brief, provided by the MPH, the increasing intake of fruits and vegetables is very important to prevent chronic diseases. Vegetables, especially, have the antioxidants, minerals, and phyto-chemicals in the correct combination that help keep the blood sugar in balance, create better energy in the body, and along with fruits, build up the immune system.
Each colour found in fruits and vegetables focus on building the immune system in its own way. The different colours in fruits and vegetables help the immune system react to different stresses in life.
Speaking at the launch, Head of the Department of Community Health and Psychiatry, Professor Denise Eldemire Shearer, said that the initiative is timely, as it seeks to promote healthy lifestyle habits within the country, and congratulated the MPH class for the initiative.
“The whole issue of low cost and trying to eat properly with restricted income, allows us to focus on what we have locally,” she added.
Professor Eldemire Shearer said the promotion underscores the mandate of public health, as the initiative “will enable persons to be able to live life within their ambit, and understand what to do to preserve health.”
Director of Health Promotion and Education in the Ministry of Health and Environment, Takese Foga, said the theme is significant, as it encourages, enable and empower individuals to “live life.”
She argued that the promotion of fruits and vegetable is vital in helping to reduce the number of chronic health diseases.
“This increased consumption supports what we are trying to do,” she said, and pledged the continued support of the Ministry, in supporting the programme. Medical Dietician, Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute, Laura Richards, encouraged everyone to make informed choices, with regard to having a healthy lifestyle.
“If you take this theme seriously, there are simple things that we can do to meet the international guidelines that they give, that what we need to effect our health, in terms of fruits and vegetables, is to consume 400 grams per day,” she added.
She said this could mean having a banana, an orange, four leaves of lettuce, and a few slices of tomato, which might be essential in providing the necessary grams that are required.