Caribbean Nutrition Day leads the way with steps to health

St. Kitts, May 20, 2010 (SKNIS): The emphasis for Caribbean Nutrition Day will once again rest on the need for a balanced diet and physical activity, as necessities for a healthy lifestyle.

Specifically, this year’s theme for the annual June 01 observance is: “Healthy Eating and Active Living – Steps to Health.” It will mark the sixth occasion that the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute has maintained the general theme with “Steps to Health” being added as a subtitle.

Locally, activities will begin Sunday, May 30 and conclude Saturday, June 05 and will focus chiefly on physical activity. The week will commence with the airing of a Message by the Chief Medical Officer Dr. Patrick Martin and will include 30 second audio messages promoting the benefits of physical activity. Healthy lifestyle Public Service Announcements (PSAs) will be aired on ZIZ television throughout the week. Fliers and leaflets will also be distributed.

According to the Ministry of Health’s Nutrition Officer Alberta Maynard, the showpiece of the week will be a Fitness Extravaganza which will take place on Caribbean Nutrition Day under the subtitle “Steps to Health.” She explained that in collaboration with Body Image, the Ministry of Health’s Nutrition Unit is inviting residents of St. Kitts and Nevis to come to Independence Square on Tuesday, June 01, at 5:00 p.m., where they can join in various types of physical activity with a focus on aerobics.

As such, the Nutrition Unit and Body Image will be partnering with several local gyms which will lead the exercise routines. Mrs. Maynard extended a special Fitness Extravaganza invitation to persons who customarily go for walks or carry out some other type of physical activity after leaving work at 4:00 or 4:30 p.m.