The "ribbon" that Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan cut to launch his Ministry's Gym and Wellness Centre on Tuesday was a measuring tape. "Notice I am cutting it at 23 inches," he said to amused members of the Ministry of Health's Fat Fighters Club (comprising staffers) at the new gym on the ground floor of Uptown Mall, Edward Street, Port-of-Spain.
After he cut the tape, Khan jumped onto a treadmill and walked briskly for about five minutes in his black working suit. "If I am a minister promoting fight the fat, I want to be the first to practise what I preach. If I could do it, you can. This gym is practising what we preach" Khan said during his address. He repeated his concern about childhood obesity which he said had accelerated over the last ten years.
Khan said 55 per cent of young people under age 15 were obese due to lack of exercise and unhealthy eating habits. He said children consumed very sweet soft drinks. Khan said obesity was a risk factor for chronic non-communicable diseases Warning that sugars, salt, carbohydrates and fats must be decreased, the minister disclosed that healthy recipes could be found on the ministry's Web site.
He said it has been found that the combination of salt, sugars and oils creates a mental addiction when consumed. Khan said the gym would help Ministry of Health workers and said he planned to use it himself. The ministry's gym, planned four years ago, is another element to the Fat Fighters' Wellness Programme, permanent secretary, Antonia Popplewell, said in opening remarks.
Adding that the ministry must be the leaders in its Fight the Fat Revolution, she said the club began morning workout sessions last January. Some Ministry of Health workers leave their homes in the deep South at 4 am for work and return home in darkness, Popplewell said. "The gym will give them the opportunity to get exercise at a time convenient to them, in the morning, at lunchtime or after work," she added.
Answering questions from the media, Khan said the Food and Drugs Organisation (FAO) indicated a lot of energy drinks companies had been applying to bring the products into T&T. He said some of those drinks have high levels of caffeine and had been banned in some countries.
Monster and Red Bull were energy drinks that have been approved by the FAO, he said. The Government was planning to adopt Jamaican legislation on energy drinks to regulate the industry, he said. "We need to look at the regulations to highlight the risks to young children and pregnant mothers," he added.