Education chief urged regional approach to tackling childhood obesity
By Marlon Madden
Chief Education Officer Dr Ramona Archer-Bradshaw has called for a regional approach to tackle the issue of childhood obesity, as authorities seek ways to accelerate the removal of ultra-processed products from schools across the Caribbean.
Her call to action came on Tuesday as health and education officials gathered in Barbados to share experiences with civil society representatives and discuss strategic approaches to addressing childhood obesity.
Pointing to the rising incidence of obesity among children in the region, Archer-Bradshaw said, “if not properly addressed, it can negatively impact the socioeconomic success of our region”.
“This is a concern that requires our immediate attention and calls for a regional approach to address this pervasive issue,” she added.
Pointing to research that showed the Caribbean had one of the highest mortality rates associated with non-communicable diseases (NCDs), Archer-Bradshaw said it was a concern in both children and adults and was an indication that “the call to action is now.”
“It is not enough for one or two countries within the region to implement school nutrition policies and hope for the best. The action requires a concerted regional approach that commits to the removal of ultra-processed foods from schools and the provision of healthier and more nutritious meals,” said Barbados’ education chief.
“I believe that if we work together as a region we can share best practices and resources. We can move lockstep towards the goal of creating a healthier environment for our children, setting them up for a lifetime of good health and wellbeing.”
Pointing to Barbados’ recently introduced National School Nutrition Policy, which is designed to encourage children to live healthier lives, Archer-Bradshaw added: “I can tell you the battle is not an easy one but with consistent sensitisation and support I can say that we are turning the corner.”
She said that while it was important for canteen concessionaires and vendors to show support for the nutrition policy, there also had to be awareness among teachers, parents, students and communities about the detrimental effects of sugar-sweetened beverages and ultra-processed products, coupled with a lack of physical activity.
Archer-Bradshaw said it was also critical to ensure transparency and accountability in efforts to cut down on unhealthy foods in schools while promoting physical activity.
“Monitoring and evaluation must play a pivotal role in our regional approach. Regular inspection and assessment of school meals programmes and the offerings of canteen concessionaires and vendors will help identify areas for improvement and ensure compliance with national school nutrition policies,” she said, adding that investment in school infrastructure and resources was needed to better facilitate nutritious and healthy meals on-site.
Archer-Bradshaw was speaking at a two-day seminar at the Courtyard by Marriott on Accelerating the Removal of Ultra-Processed Products in Caribbean Schools which is hosted by the Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC) and the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO).
President of the HCC Sir Trevor Hassell also called for a unified regional approach to tackle obesity.
Pointing out that Caribbean countries had some of the highest rates of childhood obesity, Sir Trevor said: “The harsh reality is that failure to slow or reverse the ever-increasing levels of obesity will result in failure by Caribbean countries to meet Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number three”.
That SDG refers to the attainment of good health and the promotion of well-being for all at all ages.
“So it is important for all of us to redouble our efforts and call for the implementation of front-of-package labels, tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, and healthy school nutrition policies – measures now well recognised that together with others can positively impact both childhood and adult obesity,” Sir Trevor said.
Making reference to the ongoing 45th Regular Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in Trinidad and Tobago, Sir Trevor said it was anticipated that “an intervention will be made by the Dean of CARICOM Youth Ambassadors”, as requested by the HCC and partners, for regional leaders to implement front-of-package labelling, taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages and healthy school nutrition policies.
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