Blog

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), if left unchecked, could lead to a 300 per cent increase in NCD deaths and destroy world economies by 2030, according to Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands.

Dr Sands was referring to a grim forecast made back in 1999 at a landmark meeting of Caribbean Heads of Government.

“Here is a wake-up call for all Bahamians, we are on track to achieve this prediction,” Dr Sands warned at the Hands for Hunger sixth annual Food for Thought panel discussion, which this year addressed the theme, “Feeding the future: from the breadbasket to Sunday Dinner.”

Hands for Hunger’s Food for Thought discussion concluded its World Hunger Day campaign, which is commemorated every year on May 28. Dr Sands was the guest speaker at the event and panelists included Dr Nicolette Bethel, anthropologist; Dr Indira Martin, health specialist; Stephen Hanna, community voice; and Ash Henderson of Restaurants Bahamas.

Presenters focused on the current state of food culture in The Bahamas, the importance of diet in the country’s development and the power of food in the prevention of NCDs, which are all preventable through lifestyle change.

Dr Sands noted that The Bahamas has the highest incidence of diabetes in the world and that national statistics reveal that 73 percent of Bahamians are far too inactive; more than 80 percent are overweight; six out of every 10 Bahamians have at least three risk factors that can lead to an NCD; and lifetime tobacco use has increased from 17 percent in 2012 to 25 percent in 2017.

“Our nutritional status is inextricably linked to our health and well-being in the present and also in the future – for the foods we consume today will have consequences for the quality of life we enjoy in years to come,” said Dr Sands.

A part of a multi-pronged approach to change what has become a culture of poor eating and lifestyle habits, the ministry of health is seeking to revise the current breadbasket.

“The proposed breadbasket revision is a means to mitigate economic barriers to a variety of nutritious foods,” said Dr Sands.

Effective July 1, the government has removed VAT from all breadbasket items and Dr Sands has proposed a new list of items that include healthier options, such as salmon, brown rice, fresh fruit and vegetables, among others.

Hands for Hunger’s executive director, Zeleka Knowles said the topic of the panel was timely, given the current national discussion around the breadbasket.

“The timing of this year’s Food For Thought panel discussion coincided with the government’s announcement of an increase in VAT. The added tax will have a significant impact on the diet and food choices of the 43,000 Bahamians currently living and dining on or below the poverty line,” said Knowles.

As many as 70,000 people in The Bahamas can face some level of food insecurity, according to Hands for Hunger research.

Hands for Hunger, a registered non-for-profit, is committed to the elimination of unnecessary hunger and the reduction of food waste. The organization, which is celebrating 10 years of service in 2018,  collects and delivers surplus fresh food from local hotels, wholesalers, restaurants, farms and caterers, to social service programs across the island.

Audience members and participants at this year’s Food for Thought event were treated to a Bahamian Sunday dinner re-imagined, featuring local ingredients and delicious local flavors with a twist created by Events by Alexandra. Food for Thought was sponsored by TIG Foundation, the charitable arm of the Island Game.

Dr Sands said the good news is that The Bahamas is not starting from zero. He pointed to BAMSI’s revitalized role which he said represents an opportunity for the country to make significant inroads in the food security status. BAMSI has also improved its production processes and augmented the number of product distribution centers, as a start.

“The success of our approaches depends on the collective will to innovate, change behavior, accept responsibility and do our part,” he said.