HSF reports ‘success’ in tackling child obesity, NCDs in 2023

Efforts to curb noncommunicable diseases affecting young people have seen significant progress this year, according to a senior official of the Heart and Stroke Foundation (HSF).

Speaking to Barbados TODAY, the HSF’s Programme Manager Francine Charles highlighted the organisation’s focus on promoting healthy living habits among students, particularly through the Ministry of Education’s implementation of the school nutrition policy.

Expressing a positive outlook, Charles said: “I would say that 2023 has really been an encouraging year for not only the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Childhood Obesity Programme but also for all of the champions and partners who have been in the coalition in terms of the work towards the World Health Organisation’s policies that make a difference to NCD [noncommunicable disease] prevention in Barbados.”

She emphasised the significance of the national school nutrition policy, launched in February and implemented in April. The policy aimed to address the unhealthy lifestyles of students, many of whom were found to be overweight.

While Charles did not provide recent statistics on the policy’s impact, she noted the overwhelming attention and support from schools, parents, and students, despite initial apprehensions.

She also acknowledged ongoing communication with schools.

“I would say that definitely the invitations from the schools in terms of talking with parents [and us] coming into the schools have continued. I think the parents and the schools are interested in how they can make this thing work. In 2024, we have already started talking to various schools about coming in to continue the education with the children,” Charles said.

The health advocate emphasised the reality that change takes time and highlighted the importance of commitment and strategy.

“The key is that there is a reality that the School Nutrition Policy is here, [and] change takes time. Change can [encounter] a number of hurdles but the two important ingredients are commitment and strategy. This includes us learning from other countries, educating ourselves, then helping to educate others,” she said.

While the foundation had hoped for increased interest in front-of-package labelling, Charles said that reducing the costs associated with healthy living would be a major focus in the coming year.

“We are also hoping to see some movements in terms of making healthier foods more affordable,” she said. “I think as we closed out the middle of the year, we heard discussion even at the level of the Senate about [swapping] taxes and making healthier foods more affordable. So, that is something [of] which we hope to be a part of that push in 2024.”

shamarblunt@barbadostoday.bb