EDITORIAL: Reducing COVID-19 pounds

Health officials across the globe and certainly in the region, have been expressing concern about the rate of obesity and associated chronic conditions, given fears that the current public health crisis is leading to a rise in non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Throughout the pandemic, health advocates have been calling for a massive public health initiative, to educate people about the need for improved nutrition in the midst of it all. The health officials seem to be on the right track, because of late, many Barbadians are saying that on account of the previous lockdown, they are now “battling the bulge”, as they have gained excess weight, which many now refer to as the “COVID-19 pounds”.

Clearly, some Barbadians have been eating too many of the wrong foods, in very large quantities and this negative activity is contributing to the rise in chronic non-communicable diseases. Therefore, more work must be done to help Barbadians actively change their unhealthy diets. Instead of greasy, fattening fast foods, citizens should be opting for local foods such as breadfruit, cassava, sweet potato and green bananas. They should cut down on processed imported foods and consume these in lesser quantities, so as to cut down on NCDs. Our foreparents ate these foods consistently and it seems to have done their bodies good. It is time we follow suit and get back to eating healthy foods, as foods loaded in unhealthy fats, sodium and cholesterol, will do our bodies no good.

Thus, to reduce the COVID-19 pounds, it is time Barbadians heed the call to eat local, not only to reduce our high food import bill, but for the sake of their own health. We need to ensure that going forward, we have a healthy population, with fewer NCDs. So Barbadians need to roll up their sleeves and use whatever space they have in and around their homes, to grow more herbs, vegetables and fruits.

At the governmental level, certainly, more can be done to encourage those in the country to establish their own backyard gardens. We need to grow more food, so that we have more on hand to eat. We may have a few farmers and even teachers who stand ready to assist those who have an interest in home gardening, but the average person can explore the Internet, for basic information on how to get started.

We also need to see more Barbadians planting fruit trees. There was a drive started earlier this year, but perhaps that was curbed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, as restrictions are being lifted where the pandemic is concerned, we can head in that direction again.

Perhaps it is time to revisit the concept of a healthy plate and healthy portion sizes as it relates to food, to help Barbadians eat more balanced meals. Going forward we also need to have more Barbadians engaging in exercise, now they have greater freedom to do so.

It may take a little while for the COVID-19 pounds to drop, but with some steady work, we can see Barbadians working to reduce their weight, all the while leading healthier lives.