Government conducts nutrition outreach programme

A nutrition education outreach programme is presently being conducted by the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment at the Layou Vocational School.

The programme, which began yesterday, Monday, March 16, runs until Wednesday, April 29, 2015, beginning at 4:30 p.m. daily.{{more}}

The programme, which includes theory and practical sessions, is designed to improve the nutritional status, skills, attitude and knowledge of participants in healthy eating and exercise, in an attempt to facilitate a healthier lifestyle.

The objectives of the programme are: to educate participants about the nutritional needs at different stages of the life course and in healthy eating to reduce the risk of chronic non-communicable diseases; To provide skills in meal planning and preparation to assist participants in providing adequate nutrition for their families; to promote the utilization of local foods by providing skills in non-traditional ways of preparing these foods; and to provide information on and skills in food production and food portioning.

Themes being focused on include: Basic Nutrition, The Food Based Dietary Guidelines, Home Gardening, Food Safety and Sanitation/Vector Control, Meal and Menu Planning/Food Portioning, Utilization of Legumes and Food from Animals (Practical Food Budgeting Utilization of Staple Foods (Practical), Nutrition through the life cycle, Utilization of Fruits and Vegetables (Practical), Fitness and Nutrition, Table setting and etiquette (practical), Health promotion.

The programme is being coordinated by Community Nutrition officer Hazellann Hadaway, with other resource persons from the Nutrition Unit, the Health Promotion Unit, the Environmental Management Department, the Insect Vector Control Unit, all within the Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, as well as from the Ministry of Agriculture etc, and also retired health professionals.

The programme will culminate with a graduation ceremony.