Since 2005, Caribbean Nutrition Day has been designated on 1 June by the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI) to highlight the benefits of healthy eating and an active lifestyle.

This year’s theme “Healthy Eating and Active Living: Create an Enabling School/Work/Community Environment” is in line with the Public Health Department’s Be Fit Cayman! wellness campaign which was launched last year.

Research has shown that a health promoting environment plays an important role in the development and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle. A health promoting environment is characterized by easy access to health promoting facilities, activities, and options and where people can routinely model healthy behaviours.

In support of this, Minister of Health, Hon. Mark Scotland added that “with changes in lifestyle such as healthy eating and physical activity, we can achieve greater success in improving the health of the nation “.

For example, workplace wellness policies that offer discounted gym memberships and stock refreshment areas with healthier food and drink options create a health promoting environment. Schools that implement and follow sound nutritional standards in canteens and fundraising events are another example of a health promoting environment. Communities which plan for pedestrian sidewalks and outdoor play areas for children are yet another example of enabling healthy lifestyle behaviours.

Forethought, planning and organisation are vital in creating these types of environments. Thus, CFNI and the Cayman Islands Ministry of Health encourages all government departments, private sector companies, schools and community groups to develop or renew their individual health and wellness policies to collectively facilitate better health for everyone.

For further information on developing workplace or school wellness policies, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/workplacehealthpromotion/index.htm. To participate in the Workplace wellness programme of the Cayman Islands undertaken by the Public Health Department visit www.ministryofhealth.ky

The Cayman Islands Government has taken steps to enable health promoting environments through the development of the following programs/policies:

• Take the Challenge Workplace Health and Wellness Program (C.I. Ministry of Health and the Public Health Department, 2006)
• Be Fit Cayman! Health and Wellness Campaign (C.I. Ministry of Health and the Public Health Department, 2011)
• “C.I. Public Schools: Standards for Food Provisions” (C. I. Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health and Health Services Authority Nutrition Services, 2010)
• Health4Youth pilot program (C.I. Ministry of Health and the Child Health Task Force, 2009)
• Tobacco Law 2008 and Tobacco Regulations 2010 (C.I. Ministry of Health and Public Health Department)
• Extended After School Programme for High School Students (C.I. Ministry of Education, 2011

In support of Caribbean Nutrition Day the Health Services Authority and partners have planned for the following activities:

• Radio Cayman “Talk Today” segment on Thurs.  May 31 focusing on Caribbean Nutrition Day theme (Bethany Smith, Community Dietitian, HSA)
• Selected foods on sale at Hurley’s Marketplace and Foster’s Food Fair on Friday, June 1 only! Look for Caribbean Nutrition Day placards which highlight sale items and their nutritional benefits.
• Healthy hot lunch option on Friday, June 1 in the Pink Ladies Cafeteria at the Cayman Islands Hospital
• Fresh fruits and salads will be offered on May 31 only at Prospect Primary,   Red Bay Primary,  Bodden Town Primary(JLM Foods)  ,Light House School (Mise En Place) ,  Savannah Primary ,Clifton Hunter and John Gray High Schools.