Having an unhealthy weight is a growing problem among the youth in the Caribbean region. The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is cognizant of this, and is working with member states to reverse this trend.
As part of its efforts, the Agency has developed the brochure “Parents’ Guide to a Healthier Child” which provides tips that parents can use to ensure that their children have a healthy start in life. The brochure examines the daily percentage required from the six food groups, calorie counts of some favourite foods that are consumed in the Region, how to read food labels and the importance of physical activity. The brochure encourages both parent and child to pledge their commitment to a healthy lifestyle.
This brochure can be considered a starter kit to help parents and guardians develop a plan of action that can help reduce their children’s risk of developing non-communicable diseases associated with unhealthy weight such as diabetes and cardiovascular ailments later in life. The brochure is available in an easy to read and print friendly format.