Call to live, eat healthy

MINISTER for Youth and Sports Parveen Kumar has strongly stressed the importance living a healthy lifestyle.

He said a key priority of the Fijian Government was building a healthier Fiji while making the necessary investments in improving the quality of and access to healthcare.

“Exercise is a key part of a healthy lifestyle and one of the best and most fun ways to do that is through sports and recreational activities,” Mr Kumar said.

He made the statement while opening the Lomainasau

Youth Rugby gym in Tailevu recently.

He said he had a passion for sports that inspired him to maintain a healthy diet and fitness levels.

“I am delighted that the Ministry of Youth and Sports is making a positive contribution towards the physical, mental and spiritual development of the youths, athletes and those that will use the equipment,” Mr Kumar said.

“I am happy to be able to hand over this new gym equipment so that your community and nearby communities as well, can train safely while participating actively and maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” he added.

“In Fiji, we have an unacceptably high rate of non-communicable diseases. Diabetes and obesity in particular ravage many of our communities.

“Diabetes and obesity may not sound as scary as some other, more wellknown diseases like cancer but make no mistake; they are two of the biggest killers in the Pacific.

“What makes deaths from NCDs all the more tragic is how easily they can be prevented. Exercise and eating better are key to this.”

There are 110 youths registered in the club which raised $15,000 to build the gym.