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Gymnasts??of the Christ Church Girls’ School going through their paces at the healthy lifetyle event. (G. Brewster/BGIS)??

Christ Church Girls’ School, located at Water Street, today opened its week of healthy lifestyle with students displaying their gymnastic prowess and reciting songs, poems and prayers for the continued health of their school.

Giving the rationale for "a week of activities", Principal Heather Bryan said it was about "empowering our girls in a holistic way".?? She pointed out that research had shown that helping children lead a healthy lifestyle was a vital step towards a lifetime of good health.

She said: "Studies suggest three times as many children are overweight or obese now than 30 years ago. Research indicates that these children suffer from a range of short-term psychological problems, including bullying, segregation and low self-esteem.

"In addition, there are many problems with their hearts, bones, hormones and reproductive organs. Worst still are the links to early Type 2 diabetes and heart diseases.?? It has also been proven that being overweight as a child is a strong forecaster of obesity in adulthood."

The principal spoke highly of the support from the teaching and non-teaching staff and noted that parents had also been included, as research had shown that if they were overweight children too would become obese. This, she noted, was partly due to genes, or the family’s pattern of eating and exercising.??

Meanwhile, Education Officer, Monica Walton told students of the need to preserve their bodies through good nutrition and exercise, as she provided them with 13 healthy habits, in particular, the importance of eating breakfast every morning.

She added: "Those persons who eat a well-balanced breakfast are champions of good health. Research shows that people who have a morning meal tend to take in more vitamins and minerals … The result is often a leaner body, lower cholesterol count, and less chance of overeating.

"It has been reported that persons who eat breakfast are significantly less likely to be obese or to acquire diabetes when compared to those persons who do not eat breakfast."

Today’s programme also saw Nurse Shirley-Ann Brathwaite of the Randall Philips Polyclinic educating girls about proper hygiene, while other health care professionals provided teachers and parents with blood sugar and cholesterol checks. On Wednesday, June 8, dental health specialists will be at the school, while representatives from the Pine Hill Dairy will provide samples of their products.

A highlight of the week’s activities will occur on Thursday, June 9, when the school will be transformed into a "hotel restaurant" in an effort to provide breakfast for the entire infants department. This will run from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m., with assistance from staff.

On that same day, Chief Executive Officer of the Barbados Agricultural Society, James Paul, will make a presentation to the school, while there will be promotion of juices and cereals by General Distributors, as well as WIBISCO Ltd and Nature’s Discount.

The following day, Friday, June 10, which has been dubbed "Fitness Day" will see a display of aerobics from Ocean 2 Fitness Gym; fitness equipment from Courts B’dos Ltd. and students will take part in sports and games at the school.

jgill@barbados.gov.bb

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