Government endorses a food and nutrition policy

DOMINICA:  The Hon Minister for Health and Environment Dr. Kenneth Darroux, during his World Health Day address on Thursday, April 7^th, stated that Government has begun to discuss regulation and just recently endorsed the Food and Nutrition policy that will influence the choices people make.
During the 2015 budget, the ‘sugar tax’ was introduced and implemented.

The Minister also stated that his Ministry had completed the Non-Communicable Disease policy which will give direction to the prevention and management of selected NCDS through an integrated approach.
“A School Nutrition Policy is also in advanced stage of preparation and will guide the development of a school environment that enhances learning and the development of healthy lifelong eating and activity behaviors. Strategies will address areas such as the School Curriculum; Food Service Environment; School Health and Nutrition Services; Parent and Community Involvement. Notwithstanding the Government of Dominica’s support to the already structured programs of the Ministry of Health.”
Pan American Health Organization’s director, Dr. Carissa Etienne, in her World Health Day statement, also highlighted that individuals, Governments and all of society can play a role to help reverse the diabetes epidemic.
In the Health Minister’s statement to the nation on he voiced similar sentiments.
“Strengthening of the regulatory framework must be accompanied by willingness on the part of individuals, families, parents, and school teachers, the NGO and the Private Sectors to be supportive of the measures, to embrace the health information provided and to make the healthy choice, the everyday choice.”
Nutritionist with the Health Promotions Unit, Marynese Titre, had some suggestions that would make a difference in the health of children and adults.
She said “We want to encourage our children to eat more of our natural foods, such as our fruits, our vegetables, ground provisions. Secondly we want them to be very active by getting involved in some form of exercise. Television has its time and place but we would really like them to get involved in walking, skipping and jumping around because it helps make a difference.
“We believe that there is not enough exercise among the adult population and people eat quite a bit of fried foods. We should not do away with the fried foods completely but we can limit the amount we eat. We should try to incorporate other foods such as peas and beans that are high in fibre, it helps with digestion.”