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President of the Diabetes Association of Barbados, Trudy Griffith as she made a presentation to children gathered for the “Camp Wellness” summer camp.

Children learning to manage health

The Diabetes Association of Barbados recognises the need to address the health concerns of the nation’s children and not just those of the adult population.

President of the Diabetes Association of Barbados, Trudy Griffith acknowledged the above yesterday, as her Association commenced a “Wellness Camp” at the Springer Memorial School for 25 children between the ages of six to sixteen years old. The inaugural camp, which will help each child establish and manage a healthy lifestyle, runs from August 13th to 17th, 2018.

“Today marks another history making event for the Diabetes Association of Barbados. The Association, in its 2017-2021 Corporate Philosophy plans to make a mark on the landscape of Barbados, by integrating wellness into its activities and programmes. It goes without saying that we cater to persons living with diabetes, by providing support, education and advocacy, and this extends to children,” Griffith said while delivering remarks.

“This year, the Association was successful in staging the 16th edition of Camp Pride, which addresses children ages four to 16 living with Type 1 diabetes. However, we recognise that the greater percentage of persons affected by diabetes are living with Type 2 diabetes. Two to three decades ago, this was a condition which was predominantly diagnosed in persons in middle or old age. Now, there are studies globally, regionally and locally, which report that the demographic profile of diabetes, one of the non-communicable diseases (NCDs), has changed,” she further commented.

“We are now seeing persons in their twenties and thirties being diagnosed. It is recognised that obesity among our children is also a concern and with the link already established between obesity and NCDs, it’s almost an imminent expectation to see even younger persons being diagnosed,” the President maintained.

Griffith explained that following an analysis of Camp Pride last year, the concept of staging a wellness camp for children emerged.

“We discovered that both Ms. Nicole Griffith, the Camp Director and myself had similar concepts and this has evolved into the reality we now have as Camp Wellness. Today we open Camp Wellness. Our mission is “to help each child establish and manage healthy lifestyles over the long-term, while maintaining economic stability and social welfare,” she later declared.

The one-week camp will seek to not only mould the children’s attitudes regarding health and wellness, but will also contribute to their overall development, Griffith pointed out.

Planned activities include cooking labs, fitness sessions, sessions on food safety, as well as sessions on consumerism and budgeting, leadership, substance abuse and oral hygiene.

The children will also pay a visit to a solar plant, have a farm day internship, go on tour and also participate in a highly anticipated supermarket competition, during the Wellness Camp.

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