Students, teachers encouraged to eat healthy

The Adventist Disaster Relief Agency in collaboration with the Health Ministries Department and Education Department of the East Caribbean Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists (SDA) hosted a wellness event at the Bridgetown SDA Primary School this week. The initiative, aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles among students, is part of a wider Caribbean wellness campaign that began in Dominica last month.

Priscilla Prevost, Health Director of the East Caribbean Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and ADRA, said the event was designed to encourage healthy eating and active living among children. The focus is on preventing childhood obesity and reducing the risk of non-communicable diseases, particularly through incorporating fruits into daily diets. 

“As part of [the] activities, we served fruits as snacks, including bananas, apples, grapes, pawpaw, and melon,” said Prevost. “We are encouraging the students to eat locally grown fruits and drink water instead of sugary beverages.”

The school’s wellness initiative aligns with similar efforts in Dominica, where St Luke’s School has successfully implemented a no sugar-sweetened beverages policy for five years, replacing them with water. Prevost hopes that more schools across the region will adopt similar measures to improve children’s health.

In addition to promoting healthy eating, the event provided health screenings for teachers and parents. Attendees received checks for cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure. 

A student gets a health check. (LG)

Prevost stressed that early detection of health risk factors such as obesity can prevent more serious conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and strokes.

“This health day is not just about raising awareness but also about secondary prevention,” she explained. “Identifying risk factors early helps prevent major health issues later on.”

The event coincided with International Teachers’ Day, adding a celebratory note to the day’s activities. 

Prevost expressed hope that the wellness campaign would inspire students, parents, and teachers to continue fostering healthy habits. “We want children to grow healthy, and as adults and leaders, we must create the right environment for them to thrive,” she said. 

(LG)