KOROR (Palau Horizon) — Adopt a healthy active lifestyle by eating right and exercising regularly—this was Palau’s theme as it celebrated World Health Day.
Public Health Director Caleb Otto said this year’s theme for World Health Day focuses on promoting a healthy, active and smoke-free lifestyle as urged by Gro Harlem Brundtland, director-general of the World Health Organization.
According to Otto, the government has launched a “Palau in Motion” initiative aimed at getting people into physical activities to improve their health and well-being.
Otto said these activities can prevent cardio-vascular diseases, diabetes and obesity.
The Ministry of Health has tapped the services of other government agencies in promoting physical activities and fitness, Otto said.
WHO, in a statement, has called on individuals, families, communities, governments and policy-makers to promote a healthy lifestyle.
WHO said inactivity, poor diet and increased tobacco use have been a disturbing trend in all societies, which has lead to an increase in lifestyle-related diseases and disabilities.
“Physical activity is a fun and easy way to improve our health and well-being. It does not cost anything, and everyone, whether young or old can participate. It is an effective way to prevent cardio-vascular disease, diabetes and obesity and the two million deaths per year resulting from conditions related to physical activity,” WHO said.
It also noted that individuals can take control of their own health and fitness with the help of the government and policy-makers by getting into physical activities.
The Secretariat of the Pacific Community, for its part, conducted a four-day workshop on healthy lifestyles.
Wendy Snowdon, SPC nutrition educator and training officer, discussed the ideal diet to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
She noted that in the Pacific region, the number of lifestyle diseases is increasing.
She said many people in the region have unhealthy lifestyles— they eat unhealthy food, they drink too much alcohol, chew betel nut and smoke too much.
Snowdon said the objective of the workshop was to come up with menus to meet local nutrient recommendations.
