For the third consecutive year, Family Guardian’s Group Life & Health Division, BahamaHealth, has taken the lead in bringing awareness and solutions to the epidemic of obesity and its associated health risks.
With its 3rd Annual Slim-Down Challenge, BahamaHealth once again provided a unique programme of education, exercise and support for clients, associates and the general public. This year’s Challenge ran August through November and featured a special event the second Saturday of each month that brought participants together for a morning of health-focused activities and information. Slim-Down participants had their weight and blood pressure recorded and received advice and encouragement to help them meet their health goals.
According to Family Guardian’s Vice President, Group Life & Health Division, Linda Jarrett, “Obesity is perhaps the most pervasive medical problem we face today and causes many serious health complications, including diabetes, heart disease and even cancer. We feel that our longer programme has a greater impact than a one-time event in addressing this health issue, and we were very happy to see the enthusiasm and commitment of participants over these past four months.”
BahamaHealth’s Slim-Down Challenge drew impressive crowds to the monthly events which were themed this year to attract different age and interest levels. “We wanted to ensure that the whole family becomes informed about the benefits of healthy lifestyles, and our four major events were geared to appeal to all age groups,” says Mrs. Jarrett.
Under the banner “A Family Affair,” the Slim-Down opening event in August brought the young and young-at-heart to the Family Guardian Financial Centre at the corner of East Bay & Church Streets to register, weigh-in, warm-up, and walk a 30-minute seaside route. Among the early morning exercisers was The Hon. Dr. Hubert Minnis, Minister of Health, who gave opening remarks and congratulated BahamaHealth for its important health initiative.
Family Guardian’s President & CEO Patricia Hermanns also welcomed the large crowd and explained, “The Annual Slim-Down Challenge is an important undertaking for our company as we recognize the ever-increasing impact of obesity and its associated health risks within our community. As a partner in the healthcare industry, we take seriously our role in educating our clients and the public on issues that affect their health and wellbeing.”
September’s Slim-Down programme was geared for “Generation Y,” persons over 18 and under 30 years old, who have grown-up in the age of fast-food and computer games. Noting the World Health Organization’s report that the obesity epidemic is driven by “diets with a higher proportion of saturated fats and sugars” and “increasing use of automated transport, technology in the home, and more passive leisure pursuits,” BahamaHealth’s September event featured wholesome foods, fun exercises, judo and dance.
In October “Tiny Tots” enjoyed their own special day and were treated to a hula-hoop contest, a petting zoo and a Junkanoo rush-out, learning at an early age that outdoor activities and exercise lead to good health. A hands-on Junkanoo workshop showed youngsters the art of cutting and pasting.
The 2008 Slim-Down Challenge concluded with a grand finale on November 8 under the theme, “Age Ain’t Nothin’ But A Number,” underscoring the fact that it’s never to late to improve your health. Special prizes were awarded to Slim-Down participants in specific categories, recognizing the most enthusiastic and successful in terms of their long-term efforts and positive results. “It has been very rewarding to follow the success of persons who have lost weight the right way, through proper diet and increased physical activity, and have also improved their blood pressure and cholesterol levels,” notes Mrs. Jarrett.
While the annual Slim-Down Challenge is designed to help participants achieve optimal health in a fun environment, the subject of obesity is a serious one. The World Health Organization reports that more than 1 billion adults worldwide are overweight – and at least 300 million of them clinically obese. The incidence of childhood obesity is also increasing, and is already epidemic in some areas. An estimated 20 million children under age five worldwide are overweight, giving rise to an increase in type 2 diabetes in young people, which for most of the 20th century was confined to older adults.
The medical community has long warned that obesity poses major health risks. Some risks, though non-fatal, cause sufficient physical and psychological issues to affect the quality of life, e.g. chronic pain, poor mobility, breathing difficulty, and infertility. However, obesity can lead to life-threatening problems, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke, and certain cancers. While heredity and hormones can influence unhealthy weight gain, health professionals point to the major culprits: too much unhealthy food and too little exercise.
Joining BahamaHealth in this important annual health initiative are a number of the company’s associated health providers and group member companies. “We are extremely grateful for the outstanding support we have received from our associates and members who have provided lectures, demonstrations, health testing, exercise equipment, healthy refreshments and prizes. And, of course, we thank our dedicated and talented employees who over the past three years have worked so hard to make our Slim-Down Challenge a popular and successful event,” says Mrs. Jarrett.
She adds, “BahamaHealth is proud of its healthy weight programme, but we are especially proud of the participants who committed to the Slim-Down Challenge and have seen the positive rewards of improved health test scores, increased energy, less stress, and more enjoyment from life. We are pleased to play a part in helping build a healthier Bahamas.”
