One of the major initiatives of the Nutrition and Health Promotion Department is the annual 150 lbs+ Weight Loss Challenge now in its fourth year, and continues to garner much interest within the Anguillian population. This weight loss challenge is a prevention strategy geared towards encouraging the general public to adopt healthy lifestyles practices. The aim of this Challenge is to encourage participants to achieve and maintain a healthy weight through diet and exercise, in order to reduce the risk of developing chronic non-communicable disease and their complications – which will result in an improved quality of life.
This year 54 persons registered to participate in the Challenge that commenced on the 12th of April and ended on the 14th July 2016. Participants were divided into 4 teams namely Green Rangers, Yellow Stingers, Blue Thunderbirds and Red Phoenix. Anthropometric, body mass index, body fat composition, skeletal muscle, visceral fat, body age were measured for each participant. Individual fitness levels were also assessed by utilizing a pre and post muscular strength and endurance test conducted by fitness instructor, Ms. Cleopatra D’Avergue. Biochemical analysis which included blood sugar, and lipid profile tests were also completed at the beginning and at the end of the program.
During the competition, participants were engaged in a number of health and nutrition education sessions as well as physical activity events. These physical activity sessions were conducted by physical instructors, Ms. Cleopatra D’Avergue, Mr Joseph Pradel and Mr. Duquaine Brooks The following are the results of the hard work and efforts of the participants in the 150 lbs+ Weight Loss Challenge. The Yellow Stingers claimed first place (as the winning team) followed by the Blue Thunderbirds in second; Red Phoenix came third with the Green Rangers in fourth place.
As regards the names of the winners: in third place with a weight loss of 10.3% of her initial body weight and the equivalent of 18.6 lbs was Ms. Tomasha Connor. Mrs. Cassandra Sosa took second place with a weight loss of 20.8 lbs (10.7% of initial weight) and in first place with the most pounds lost (36.2 lbs.) and the highest percentage weight loss of 12.6% was Mr. Perry Hughes of the Yellow Stingers. This year’s 150 lbs+ Weight Loss Challenge has been a notable success with an impressive overall weight loss total of four hundred and twenty two point six pounds (422.6).
The Nutrition and Health Promotion Department, on behalf of the Health Authority of Anguilla, would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support towards the 150 lbs + Weight Loss Challenge: MASA, Anacaona Boutique Hotel, Frangipani Beach Resort, Tackle Box Sports Centre, La Severine Total Fitness & Massage, Dungeon Gym, Ifitness Anguilla, Simply Natural, Results Driven Fitness, Paramount Pharmacy, and DaVida Restaurant and Spa.
– Contributed
