Members of the Ministry of Health and Human Services officially began to get fit Monday with the implementation of a 21-day health and wellness programme.
To kick off the programme, public health nurses checked those taking part, including the minister Anthony Eden and chief officer Diane Montoya, measuring blood pressure and blood sugar.
Joy Merren checks Diane Montoyas blood pressure at the start of the 21-day health and wellness programme. |
In addition, Ernest Ebanks of health and fitness centre BodySculptor, who is setting up individual fitness routines, measured body mass index and determined optimum daily water intake.
Mrs. Montoya explained the significance of the initiative.
‘It means healthy eating and lifestyle habits. The idea is to give staff in the ministry a jump start targeting nutrition, exercise and stress reduction. We feel if we do it together we can support each other.
‘We hope to get other government departments to start the programme for their employees as an employee workplace health initiative.
‘BodySculptor is working with the Ministry of Health and others will work with other departments. We’re trying to involve private sector partners,’ she said.
Therese Prehay, health promotions officer at the public health department, would like to see the programme adopted island wide.
‘A lot of ministries have expressed interest in the programme. I hope after this pilot programme they will get involved.
‘My hope is to generate enough interest that the whole island will get involved with health and wellness.
‘The whole programme is designed to encourage men and women to adopt a new healthier lifestyle by implementing a few changes such as eating properly and increasing their physical activity to maintain mental health and resiliency toward diseases.
‘I think in fulfilling all these components we will achieve a healthier self-esteem,’ she said.
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