By Deanzer Roberts

Barbados, like many Caribbean nations, is experiencing an epidemiological transition, with shifting dietary patterns. While undernourishment has declined, obesity remains a significant concern, with approximately 66% of adults being overweight or obese. Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), particularly cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and some cancers, account for over 80% of all deaths in the country.

Food availability data reveal excessive consumption of protein, fat, and sugar, while the intake of fruits and vegetables remains inadequate—over 90% of the population fails to meet the minimum recommended levels. Simply put, Barbados is facing a chronic NCD epidemic.

To address this, the government has implemented a National Food and Nutrition Policy, supporting Baby-Friendly Hospital certification at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, a national school nutrition policy, and taxation on sugar-sweetened beverages, alcohol, and tobacco to reduce consumption of unhealthy products. Prime Minister Mia Mottley co-chaired a report entitled Healthy Taxes: A Compelling Policy for the Crisis of Today with Michael Bloomberg and former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers. This underscores the recognition of taxation as a deterrent while also raising revenue to offset rising health expenditures due to unhealthy lifestyles.

However, the government acknowledges that taxation alone is not enough. A strong public education campaign is needed to change behaviors. To this end, $1 million per year will be allocated for public education over the next two years, focusing on dietary changes and physical activity. Starting June 1, 2025, an excise tax of 20% will be placed on high-salt snacks, including Pringles, salted nuts, corn curls, salted popcorn, tortilla chips, salted pretzels, and salt crackers among others.

The government has also appealed to hotels, restaurants, and cook shops to remove salt shakers from tables and counters, encouraging people to taste their food before adding salt. While traditional dishes like salted pigtails and saltfish remain popular, citizens are urged to prepare them with reduced salt content.

This comprehensive approach—combining policy, taxation, education, and behavioral change—aims to curb the prevalence of NCDs, improve national health, and promote longer, healthier lives for all Barbadians.

Friends and families of persons with disabilities (PWDs) and the general public are invited to participate in activities to mark the Month of the Disabled, celebrated in March, under the theme One Community: United in Action for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future. 

The month of activities is coordinated by the National Disabilities Unit (NDU) and the Barbados Council for the Disabled (BCD), in collaboration with several stakeholders.  A key feature throughout the month will be Daily Devotions and Co-op Tips on CBC TV. 

With the official start on Sunday, March 2, there will be a multi-faith church service at the Derrick Smith School and Vocational Centre, Jackmans, St. Michael, from 4:00 p.m. 

On Saturday, March 8, the Multiple Sclerosis Society will hold its first variety sale at Sky Mall, Haggatt Hall, St. Michael, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Later, in the evening the NDU’s grounds at Maxwelton, Collymore Rock, St. Michael, will be the venue for the first Movie Night of the year.  Show time will be from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. with featured movies entitled “Jungle Cruise” and “Inside Out 2”. 

World Glaucoma Week, from Sunday, March 9, to Saturday, March 15, will allow for Barbadians to get tested at various locations. 

On Wednesday, March 12, the NDU, in collaboration with Carlisle Laboratories, will host a health fair on its grounds at Collymore Rock, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  

Patrons will be given the opportunity to have blood sugar and blood pressure checks, and introduced to products offered by Carlisle Laboratories. They will also be  encouraged to participate in informative sessions on non-communicable diseases and other chronic medical ailments. 

Thursday, March 13, will be the date when the Barbados Council for the Disabled hosts a virtual workshop on the topic Electoral Practices Relating to PWDs.  

The following day, Friday, March 14, the Multiple Sclerosis Society will host its second variety sale, this time at Sheraton Mall, Sargeant’s Village, Christ Church, from 10:00 a.m. until noon. 

On Tuesday, March 18, the National Committee Monitoring the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will host a ceremony on the NDU grounds, from 10:00 a.m. to noon, where Barbados’ official report to the United Nations will be handed over to the Ministry of People Empowerment, for onward submission to the United Nations.  

Wednesday, March 19, has been dubbed NDU Aquatic Day. This will see PWDs assembling at Browne’s Beach, Bay Street, St. Michael, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., to enjoy the sea and fun activities planned by the Unit. 

The Down Syndrome Association will once again stage its annual “Rock Your Socks”, in commemoration of World Down Syndrome Day on March 21. All Barbadians are encouraged to purchase socks and wear them on that day; take photographs, and display them on the various social media platforms. 

A second movie night will be held on Saturday, March 22, at the NDU grounds, from 6:00 p.m. “Moana 2” and “Despicable Me 4” will be shown. 

Sunday, March 23, will see 96 persons graduating from the NDU’s Sign Language and Flower Project programmes, conducted last year.  The graduation ceremony will be held at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Two Mile Hill, St. Michael, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.  

On Wednesday, March 26, the BCD will present My Inclusive School at Harambee House, The Garrison, St. Michael from 10:00 a.m. My Inclusive School awards serve as a platform to acknowledge and commend schools demonstrating exceptional dedication to fostering an inclusive atmosphere for students with disabilities. They are recognised for implementing innovative practices, accommodations, and initiatives aimed at tailoring education to meet the needs of every child. 

Later in the day, at 7:00 p.m., the NDU will host a public lecture at the Frank Collymore Hall, where The Most Honorable Kerryann Ifill, FB will present “This is My Story”. The month of activities will conclude on Saturday, March 29, with the “Special Envoy’s Outing” at Farley Hill National Park in St. Peter.  (PR/GIS)

Local manufacturers are coming on board with the School Nutrition Policy by reformulating products which target children.

And, Acting Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Arthur Phillips, said this is one ‘win’ in the fight against unhealthy snacks and non-communicable diseases.

Speaking at a recent press briefing, which gave updates on the policy and doubled as the launch of its digital communication campaign, Dr. Phillips disclosed that local companies were also seeking to be compliant with the policy by importing healthier food items.

The briefing was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Health and Wellness; the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training (METVT); the Barbados Childhood Obesity Coalition; the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados; and BIDC/Export Barbados.

“The private sector plays a key role in food production and distribution. I am pleased to report that we are seeing progress being made in this area. The policy is not simply about restricting unhealthy choices, it’s also about catalysing healthy choices, reformulation, innovation.

“Reformulation, we are talking about making foods healthier, reducing added sugar, unhealthy fats, and excessive sodium while maintaining quality and taste. What we’ve been seeing is that local manufacturers are responding by adjusting their product offerings to align with the policy’s nutritional standards. So, better local offerings and better imports provide our students with better snack and beverage options that are in line with the School Nutrition Policy. And, I see this as a major victory. This shift demonstrates that healthier options are not only possible, but they can increasingly become the norm,” the Acting Deputy emphasised.

The School Nutrition Policy was established in 2022 and targets both primary and secondary school children.

Dr. Phillips said while there was more work to be done, it was “heartening” to see the progress that was being made by local manufacturers in such a short space of time. He also acknowledged that product reformulation required investment, time, money, development, and consumer education but pointed out the benefits were worth it because it was about investing in the future of the nation.

Also present at the press briefing was Co-Chair of the Barbados Childhood Obesity Coalition and Lead of the Sub-committee on the Compliant List, Nicole Griffith, who shared that increasingly more companies were seeking to get on the compliant list.

Additionally, she added that the Coalition and the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s Alternative Snacks and Beverage Committee was willing to work with companies which were interested in either reformulating their products or importing healthier options.

“That is something we would definitely be interested in so that we can have a compliant list that is in the same alignment as the European compliant list, which is very good on the nutritional facts panel…. This year, we restricted [products] down to 10 grammes of added sugar for snacks, and for beverages, we continued on the no added sugar and 100 per cent juice or water. We saw companies which were not originally on the list in the beginning, meaning they would’ve had to have a very high sugar or sodium content, now able to get on the list,” Ms. Griffith stated.

Education Officer (Food and Nutrition) with the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training, Hedda Phillips-Boyce, said since the policy was established, school canteen concessionaires have supported the policy’s objectives. 

She added the National Nutrition Centre has also been working with the School Meals Department to ensure that meals meet one-third of the daily nutritional requirements.

However, she pointed out that vendors selling outside schools continue to pose a problem to the policy’s objectives since the METVT could not control what products they sold to children.

Mrs. Phillips-Boyce further noted that a key pillar of the policy, the recognition pillar, would be rolled out this school year, rewarding schools and various stakeholders for their initiatives to foster healthier school environments.  

The policy’s digital communication campaign, Feeding Healthy Futures, will be launched on Monday, February 17, on social media platforms. It will target students, parents, guardians, canteen concessionaires, teachers, vendors, technocrats, policymakers, and the general public. The campaign aims to tackle childhood obesity by promoting healthy eating, active lifestyles, and overall wellness. (PR/GIS)