Hanover residents urged to practise healthy lifestyle habits
WESTERN BUREAU:
DR KAUSHAL Singh, medical officer of health at the Hanover Health Department, is expressing concerns about the cavalier lifestyle of many residents in the parish in regard of their attitude towards non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Drawing reference to the findings from the recently published Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey, which, he says, are not encouraging, Singh issued a stern warning to all residents in Hanover, saying that they need to start paying more attention to their lifestyle habits.
“I can tell you from the outset that Hanover is in the top two or three in terms of hypertension, diabetes, and other noncommunicable diseases,” said Singh. “So it is time to start thinking about our lifestyles. We need to start doing some physical activity.”
MUCH TO BE GAINED
Singh made reference to the ongoing collaboration between the ministries of health and education and the Jamaica Moves programme, which is steadily taking root across the island. He said that there is much to be gained by both adults and children if they start exercising to improve their health.
The medical officer further argued that most of the NCDs can be prevented with the adoption of a regular exercise routine.
“There is a calculation that even with 15 minutes of exercise in a day, your lifespan will increase,” said Singh, emphasising that a regular exercise routine is not as challenging as some people might think.
He used the opportunity to urge the residents of the western parish to find some time daily to do some form of physical activity, alongside proper dietary practices. He said that his department is ready and willing to visit any organisation or business place, if requested, to give talks on proper lifestyle practices.