‘Ground-breaking’ policy lauded

Stakeholders are giving the Barbados Schools Nutrition Policy the thumbs up, describing it as a bold step in the fight against childhood obesity.

Amid concerns that one in three children in Barbados is obese or overweight, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados and the Barbados Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition, a partnership of civil society organisations, concerned citizens and youth advocates, believe this will set the island on the right path to addressing the problem.

Kevin Farmer, President of the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Barbados, one of the key civil society organisations involved in the advocacy efforts, stated, “This new policy is ground-breaking in Barbados and it paves the way for government to action the protection of our children and their future as a policy priority, as the WHO highlights six policy areas.”

He noted that given that Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced the increase in tax on sugar-sweetened beverages to 20 per cent last year, this latest move will further serve to ensure that childhood obesity becomes less of an obstacle.

“The new policy is the correct direction that Barbados needs at this time. This will ensure health and nutrition are embedded in our children’s school environment, rather than the exposure to the sale and marketing of sugary beverages to children,” Farmer said.

Policy champion for the coalition, Professor Anne St. John, stated “This has been a long hard fight by the coalition, and we are so happy to see that our government has embraced this policy action, which can pave a new way for our children within the school environment. Children spend a tremendous amount of time in their schools, and we know that it is there that we can try to change the approach which generations to come have towards food.”

The consultant paediatrician further explained, “Childhood obesity has been a threat to the health of Barbadian children and required a frontal attack, to be tackled effectively. The new policy is exactly what is required to provide for the promotion of good health for future generations.”

From next school term in April, it will be mandatory for all beverages sold in schools to be unsweetened with no sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Healthy dishes must be served on Tuesday and Thursday, while vegetables must be served with all meals.

A list of healthy snacks compiled by the HSFB will be issued to principals, canteen concessionaires, vendors and persons who operate tuck shops at schools.

Chairperson for the Coalition Dr Kia Lewis who congratulated the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Wellness for the all-embracing policy, noted, “The epidemic of childhood obesity must be given priority in Barbados and globally at this time. The fact that obesity in childhood is so inextricably linked to the onslaught of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancers, heart attacks, hypertension, Type 2 diabetes and stroke is a serious national issue in a context where eight out of every ten deaths are due to an NCD in Barbados.

“We are seeing younger and younger persons struggling with NCDs. We applaud the government’s move to remove sugary drinks from schools and to encourage healthier meals and snacks as recommended by the WHO. We look forward to seeing and supporting the roll-out of the policy in April 2023 and we encourage key stakeholders including parents, to support the government’s brave move to secure our nation’s future.” (PR/BT)