The Collective Preventive Services (CPS), a unit of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, encourages individuals, families to make healthy eating choices in order to prevent chronic diseases.
As part of CPSs Annual Calendar of Health Observances, "Healthy Weight & Nutritional Awareness," is promoted within the first month of the year, and is also part of the Minister of Public Health Hon. Cornelius de Weever "Get Checked" campaign of living a healthy lifestyle.
CPS would therefore like to encourage parents and guardians to foster and encourage healthy dietary choices for children and promote the maintenance of a healthy weight. Parents and guardians of course need to discuss the healthy dietary choices with their children and to set the proper example in order for their children to follow.
Healthy eating and physical activity reduces or eliminates chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, several forms of cancer, osteoporosis and dental disease.
Obesity: the imbalance between declining energy expenditure due to physical inactivity and high energy in the diet (excess calories whether from sugar, starches or fat) is the main determinant of the obesity epidemic. Increasing physical activity, plus reducing intakes of foods high in fat and foods and drinks high in sugars, can prevent unhealthy weight gain.
Diabetes: excess weight gain, overweight and obesity and physical inactivity account for the escalating rates of type 2 diabetes, worldwide. Diabetes leads to increased risk of heart disease, kidney disease, stroke and infections. Increased physical activity and maintaining a healthy weight play critical roles in the prevention and treatment of diabetes.
Cardiovascular diseases: cardiovascular diseases, the major killers worldwide, are to a great extent due to unbalanced diets and physical inactivity. Risk of their main forms, heart disease and stroke, is reduced by eating less saturated and trans fats, and sufficient amounts of (n-3 and n-6) polyunsaturated fats, fruits and vegetables and less salt, as well as by physical activity and controlling weight. Reduction of salt intake helps reduce blood pressure, a major cause of cardiovascular diseases.
Cancer: tobacco is the number one cause of cancer, but dietary factors contribute significantly to some types of cancer. Maintaining a healthy weight will reduce the risk for cancers of the oesophagus, colorectum, breast, endometrium and kidney. Limiting alcohol intake will reduce risk for cancers of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, liver and breast. Ensuring an adequate intake of fruit and vegetables should further reduce risk for oral cavity, oesophagus, stomach and colorectal cancer.
Dental disease: caries is preventable by limiting the frequency and amount of consumption of sugars and by appropriate exposure to fluoride. Erosion of teeth by dietary acids in beverages or other acidic foods may contribute to tooth destruction.