A Healthy Meal Planning and Cooking Session was the highlight of the evening of Friday 16th November for students of the Fit Teen Programme and the Anguilla Youth Diabetes Association. Approximately 16 adolescents aged 11 to 14 participated in that session which was led by Chef Karimah Carty of the Anguilla Community College.
According to the 2016 Global School-Based Student Health Survey, only 15% of adolescents consumed vegetables at the recommended levels, while only 19% of adolescents reported adequate physical activity levels in Anguilla. Physical inactivity and poor consumption of fruits and vegetables are known risk factors for Chronic Non-Communicable diseases on Anguilla. Thus, Fit Teen was launched by the Ministry of Health and Social Development in 2017 following ongoing national efforts to develop programmes which holistically address the health and psycho-social challenges of our adolescents.
Fit Teen promotes active living while supporting early interventions in the lives of children and adolescents ages 12-17 who fit into the categories of overweight, obese and/or morbidly obese based on the Centre of Disease Control body mass index (BMI), or who have or are predisposed to developing a Chronic Non-Communicable Disease.
During this 3 month’s cycle, 12 adolescents (4 males, 8 females) are benefitting from this programme which offers the following support; Health assessments and management plans; Mentorship; Personal and group development sessions; Health Education Seminars; Nutritional Support; Physical Activity and Training and Family Support Sessions.
Persons who would like to benefit from this programme or support clients of this programme are encouraged to contact the School Health Unit located in the Teachers’ Resource Centre by calling 497 5403 or contact the Ministry of Health and Social Development at 497-3930 or by emailing hyacinth.bradley@gov.ai or twyla.bradshaw-richardson@gov.ai
– Press Release
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
