Education Ministry Marks World Obesity Day with Screenings and Healthy Food
VICTORIA, Seychelles — To commemorate this year’s World Obesity Day, the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with various health centres around the country, hosted a day of promotional activities, including medical screenings, and the sale of healthy food and beverages. The event, held at the ministry’s headquarters at Mont Fleuri, took place under this year’s chosen theme ‘Changing Systems Healthier Lives’, putting the focus on the systems that directly influence the drivers of obesity and related chronic diseases.
Representing the professional health sector at the event were officials from the Ministry of Health, AMSA and Vision Care, while some local vendors were present to display healthy food and beverage options while also promoting their products. In addition to the screenings, there was a coach who conducted fitness activities throughout the day to ensure staff remained fit and healthy. Minister for Education Dr Justin Valentin said the ministry takes great pride in the participation of its partners at the event, as it reflects its dedication to fostering healthier lifestyles.
He said the initiative provides an opportunity for the staff to become involved in promoting efforts aimed at preventing obesity. Dr Valentin emphasised that they are not only encouraging young people to adopt healthier lifestyles, but also to take proactive steps by remaining conscious of their own health and serving as role models. He noted that, alongside raising awareness about obesity, schools are also focusing on promoting mental health, reproductive health, and various other important health topics among students. He said that schools are encouraged to engage in fitness activities as part of their ongoing campaign to prevent obesity, and the ‘Stop Obesity Campaign’ in schools represents merely the initial phase of their comprehensive health programme.
