Experts to hold unhealthy food, obesity forum
Coldfield manufacturing launches zero sugar drink
PUBLIC-HEALTH EXPERTS will on January 11 stage a forum to discuss the role that sugary drinks and unhealthy food play in obesity.
The Government’s decision to impose a ban on sugary drinks in schools has triggered national debate on the issue.
While diet and its contribution to the obesity epidemic is a complex issue, public-health experts are expected to outline the scientific evidence linking the contribution of excess salt, sugars, fats, and ultra-processed foods to their impact on weight management and obesity, which increases the risk of developing chronic diseases.
Dr Frank Hu, from the Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health and Harvard Medical School, will deliver the main address while Dr Lisa Powell, from the University of Illinois in Chicago, will be a featured speaker.
PANEL DISCUSSION
The forum will also include a panel discussion made up of Jamaican and international experts, including representatives from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), The University of West Indies (UWI), the Caribbean Institute for Health Research, and the University of Technology, who will discuss causes of obesity and how fiscal policies have been effective in promoting healthy behavioural changes.
The forum is being cosponsored by the Heart Foundation of Jamaica and PAHO in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the Association of Consultant Physicians of Jamaica, the Caribbean Institute for Health Research (UWI), and Jamaica Moves.
Dr Hu’s research has focused on the role that diet and lifestyle, metabolic factors, and genetics play in obesity, type-2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. These findings have contributed to public-health recommendations and policies for the prevention of chronic diseases.
COLDFIELD MANUFACTURING Limited, home of Big Jo and other brands, has launched a zero sugar drink, ‘Big Jo Z’, providing parents and children with a healthy and affordable option.
Brett Wong, managing director of the manufacturing company, shared that the product, which was launched at the Clan Carthy Primary School in Kingston on Thursday, comes in support of an initiative led by the ministries of health and education, to provide healthy choices in schools and public institutions . He noted, too, that the products will become available islandwide in time for the reopening of school.
“Coldfield Manufacturing is leading the way and taking action to support the Government’s initiative for healthier choices in schools. Big Jo Z will provide exciting flavours that kids will enjoy and that parents can remember from when they were growing up, but with zero sugar,” he said.
In endorsing the initiative, Dr Christopher Tufton, minister of health, noted that it is important that all stakeholders give their full support and ensure that the health of Jamaica’s children comes first.
“We don’t intend to put a policeman at every gate arresting people, that’s certainly not the option that we want to exercise. I believe that persons will buy in because of the benefits to the health and well-being of our children,” he said.
“We do recognise that in some instances, parents pack the lunch kits and send the kids to school. We are not saying to any teacher or administrator, however, that when they come with the drink, we should confiscate it and let them stay hungry for the day, but we are urging parents, to pack the lunch kits with the appropriate food items,” he said.