Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 11, 2015 (SKNIS): St. Kitts and Nevis, along with fellow CARICOM member-states, will be commemorating Caribbean Wellness Day (CWD) under the theme “Healthy Lifestyle, Healthy Ageing,” tomorrow, September 12.
The theme encourages physical activity for all generations which is widely considered to be “ammunition” in the fight against Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
CWD, which was inaugurated in 2008, is an annual event that promotes increased awareness of the Non Communicable Disease (NCD) burden in the Caribbean. The day is commonly viewed as a vehicle to mobilize and strengthen public, private, and civil society partnership for NCDs; promote activities in support of wellness; and showcase national and community level activities to promote healthy living and encourage residents to develop good health practices.
The St. Kitts Health Promotion Unit of the Ministry of Health revealed that several rural communities, NGOs and sport leagues have united for this cause, noting that it is their “goal to encourage persons regardless of age to “Get Up! And Get Moving!”
One such undertaking is a Health and Fitness Rally to take place on National Hero’s Day, (Thursday, September 16) at the Verchild’s Playing Field. The event is being coordinated by the Community Upliftment and Enhancement Team (CUET) and commemorates CWD and Wellness Week in the Americas. It also follows the recommendations of the CARICOM Secretariat and uses the health promotion model.
An exciting list of competitions and challenges includes: the farmers walk with dumbbells, squat competition, bench press competition, dead lift competition and sprint relays. Visitors of the Health and Fitness Rally will also be able to take part in an aerobics competition, get medical checks and have access to a healthy food and juice bar. Bouncing castles and trampolines will also be in place for the children.