Parliamentarians associated with the main opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) have embarked on a healthy eating campaign aimed at ensuring that the nation's children consume the right food.

Each of the Parliamentarians visited the schools in their constituencies on Wednesday to assist in the promotion of Caribbean Nutrition Day. The day, commemorated each year on June 1, is promoted by the Caribbean Food & Nutrition Institute (CFNI) and the local Food and Nutrition Council (FNC).

CFNI is a specialised center of the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO)/World Health Organisation (WHO). Its mission is to co-operate technically with member countries to strengthen their ability to analyse, manage and prevent the key nutritional problems and to enhance the quality of life of the people through the promotion of good nutrition and healthy lifestyle behaviors.It is aimed at showing that food choices and activity levels have a major impact on physical and mental health.

Parliamentary Representative for St. George's-South, Glynis Roberts told GRENADA TODAY that the day was declared by the Jamaica-based CFNI. It is aimed at encouraging people to eat at least one fruit with their meals, as well as have a mid-morning snack and to exercise for at least half an hour each day.

She said that the role of the parliamentarians will be to assist the local FNC in the promotion of good eating practices. According to Roberts, each of the opposition Parliamentarian will visit the schools in their constituencies and distribute a fruit mainly a banana or mango to the students.

Public Relations Officer (PRO) for GFNC, Nicole Best told this newspaper that they have encouraged restaurant owners to ensure at least one fruit is included on their menu for the day. She said that the restaurants were told to give the fruits out at no cost and if sold then it should be done at a reduced price.

Best pointed out that scientific evidence has proven that the adoption of healthy eating behaviors and increase in physical activity help prevent chronic diseases related to the heart, as well as strokes, high blood pressure, diabetes and cancers.

The GFNC PRO indicated that chronic diseases are major causes of death and disability in the Caribbean noting that there is a need for people to change their eating habits. Recent surveys carried out in the Caribbean indicate that almost half of the adult population is overweight or obese, which significantly increase their chances of ill health and premature death.

Caribbean Nutrition Day was held under the theme "Healthy Eating and Active Living".