Africa-Press – Seychelles. Closing Independence Avenue on specific Sunday mornings for bicycle ride and walking exercises, introducing a President’s Award for the best school fighting obesity, and making Victoria pedestrian-only for a certain period of time to encourage walking, are some of the measures announced by the head of state to help fight obesity in Seychelles.
President Wavel Ramkalawan was speaking at Gordon Square yesterday morning when launching a national campaign against obesity, to tackle the problem of overweight in the country. This also launches a seven-year obesity reduction action plan.
The campaign was launched in a one-day awareness activity in the presence of First Lady Linda Ramkalawan, ministers, various organisations and the general public.
According to the health ministry, obesity has become an ever growing challenge in the country affecting the health and wellbeing of many people.
In his keynote address, President Ramkalawan stated that 60% of the population was obese among which 64% were women and 34 % were children.
He noted he was also very concerned with the number of men who were obese, which was closing in on the percentage of women.
He said that 70% of health problems attended to by the health ministry were related to obesity issues and are costing the ministry a large chunk of its budget.
President Ramkalawan added that we should all take our health and this campaign seriously as it will ensure a reduction in the Ministry of Health’s budget to treat health problems related to obesity and the money spared could be used for other things.
He noted that more than 60% of health cases attended at the hospital has something to do with our size in terms of being overweight, consumption of alcohol among other elements, which could have been avoided if every person had been more responsible towards their health.
President Ramkalawan encouraged everybody to do more physical exercises, even if it is just daily walks, and to watch the types of food they consume.
Sharing his personal experience, the head of state said he managed to lose 5kgs by doing just that for the past three months, since being at the helm of the national committee to fight obesity.
He also announced a series of measures to fight obesity such as closing the Independence Avenue to traffic on specific Sundays and turning it into a spot for bicycle rides and walking exercises as well as turning the capital city into a pedestrian-only area on specific days.
Mr Ramkalawan also announced a special President’s award to the best school fighting obesity.
He called on parents to encourage their child to do more physical exercises, to relook at the amount of pocket money provided which most of the time is spent on junk food and unhealthy refreshments.
“So let us set a rendezvous for October 15 next year to see the achievements and progress made, be it on a personal basis or as a group. This campaign is not only for the children, for those who are working but for everybody including our old citizens on retirement. It is an honour for me to declare the campaign against obesity officially open and that we all participate,” said President Ramkalawan, who commended the good health practices of the past before the electronic revolution.
For her part, Health Minister Peggy Vidot said obesity should be taken seriously as it leads to various health complications such as hypertension and diabetes which may result in amputation, loss of vision and dialysis among others.
“Obesity is becoming a great problem for the country and it is in almost every home. We can prevent all these health problems if only we fight them. We need to work together and to have the force, courage and discipline to push it away. In the strategic plan we have things that everybody can do on a personal basis or collectively in terms of controlling our diet and to engage in physical activities, to reduce obesity in the country,” said Minister Vidot.
She also urged parents to educate their children on their diet and to do more physical exercises to maintain their health and body weights.
Minister Vidot took the opportunity to thank President Ramkalawan for his engagement and commitment to fighting obesity in the country and all those who participated in the success of the event.
The special awareness event started with a symbolic march against obesity. Under the on and off light showers, the participants took off from Gordon Square onto Manglier Street before turning on Constitution Avenue, Palm Street, Albert Street, Clock Tower, Independence Avenue and down Manglier Street again to end at Gordon Square.
Upon arrival the participants had a 30-minute warm up session before engaging in various activities which included physical exercises, games, health checks and entertainment.
There were also various stalls around the field showcasing various healthy products, which were on sale. The activity ended around 2pm.
“It was fun. I liked it very much. It should be done more often because it can help young people who are obese to lose some kilos and it is also good for the health. It keeps you healthy,” said 11-year-old Kiana Jeannevol from Ile Perseverance.
“This is a very good campaign for everybody to follow, especially young children where they will at a very young age get the habit of watching what they consume and do exercises to prevent them from getting obese. This will also make us as parents relook at what we buy for our children to consume at the detriment of their health. I know now that I will have to buy healthier food for my child. He was obese and I put him into swimming classes. Now that he has lost some weight I am making sure that he does not become overweight again,” said Audrey Dine from Anse Royale.
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