ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – On Wednesday, the Ministry of Health with the assistance of the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), launched the Food Based Dietary Guidelines for Antigua & Barbuda. At the event were government officials including Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, who briefly addressed those in attendance. During his speech, PM Spencer said, “I am confident that the eight general statements on nutrition and physical activity, which provide non-scientific ways of providing critical information on diet and nutrition, will be effective in reducing NCDs (non-communicable diseases) in our community.” The PM’s statement is timely since many residents are battling with hypertension, diabetes and obesity. However, the eight guidelines presented in the document are not new and are familiar to scores of us who have been exposed to what good nutrition is.
