JunorTHE MINISTRY of Health (MoH) is actively seeking
to establish exercise parks
across the island to encourage Jamaicans to partake in physical activities.
Further discussions will take place to work out the logistics of the plan and it is anticipated that one exercise park will be identified in each parish by year end.
Health Minister John Junor in a recent Jamaica Information Service (JIS) interview said that there are a number of open spaces available in Jamaica which are currently under-utilised.
He listed the National Heroes Park in Kingston, Calabar and Priory playfields, fields at the Police Officers Club and near Shortwood Teachers' College.
The Ministry plans to negotiate with schools in particular to make playing fields which adjoin school properties available for use by the surrounding communities. This he said was a good combination to foster a closer relationship between school and community.
Recent research, results from two years of collaborative research into the local disease burden are revealing dangerous trends in the dietary and lifestyle habits of Jamaicans. This has prompted health officials to call for partnerships with a responsible corporate Jamaica and the media, to help get across messages stressing the importance to Jamaicans of a healthy lifestyle. The research compiled in the Jamaica Lifestyle Survey showed that several persons are at increased risk of developing chronic illnesses such as heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes, because of a failure to eat right, exercise and maintain the correct body weight.
The main findings showed that more than 50 per cent of Jamaicans surveyed were involved in medium to high physical activity, from practices such as walking to work. However, a remaining 45 per cent were either totally inactive or were engaged in a low level of physical activity.
The Ministry, Mr. Junor said envisaged erecting exercise boards so that jogging enthusiasts would be able to calculate the distance covered in addition to displaying information on cardiovascular related activity.
The Ministry is also in discussion with members of the security forces about providing a presence in the parks. These individuals will also be encouraged to participate in the exercise activities.
Spearheading the initiative is Dr. Deanna Ashley, director of health promotion in the Health Ministry. They are currently
in negotiation with the
National Housing Trust to use Emancipation Park in New Kingston as an activity park.
