Students encouraged to drink more water

“Water is life.”

That was the message given to students of the St Alban’s Primary School on Wednesday as a water fountain was donated to the school by members of the Barbados Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition and the Muslim community CEO of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados, Greta Yearwood said the donation, made in collaboration with Fusion Boutique stores, is a part of the coalition’s and foundation’s campaign to encourage healthier eating habits in the nation’s youth.

Yearwood, who noted that the team has visited 25 schools so far this year, said students must understand the importance of water.

“As we said, water is life. Do you know that water helps the brain? It keeps your mind sharp and focused and gives you the opportunity to perform well in your classwork. It also regulates your temperature. Do appreciate what is given to you on behalf of the Muslim community, and we will continue this trend that was started last year to ensure that a number of our schools have the availability of a water fountain for our children,” she said.

Meanwhile, St James North MP Edmund Hinkson lamented the high obesity levels among children in Barbados.

“Too many of our children are overweight and obese. I believe that the latest figure was three out of every ten children in our country are overweight, and that is not good. It could lead to diabetes, which we black people are prone to having anyway, and it can lead to hypertension, and high blood pressure, which a lot of your grandparents have.

“Water prevents that to a large degree,” he said.

Hinkson also encouraged the students to give back to their communities in any way they can, which would help them live productive, healthy lives.

“Barbados can only progress if you help give back. You all have to join voluntary groups [and] when you see somebody in your community who is old, help them. When you see someone in your community who is blind or has trouble walking, help them. When you see your district has litter or is waterlogged, help your parents clear the garbage. All of this will not only help Barbados but will help your community,” the MP told the students.