THE MINISTRY of Health has launched its healthy lifestyle dance competition, part of activities aimed at getting the population to exercise regularly in order to reduce high risk behaviours among persons aged 12 to 24.
The programme launch, including the first parish eliminations, were held on the grounds of the Social Development Commission's (SDC) office in Spanish Town, St. Catherine on Friday.
The competition is one in a series of lifestyle programmes being promoted by the Ministry in a bid to address the needs
of persons in the targeted
age group, officials said in a statement.
According to the Ministry, the programme aims to reduce high risk behaviours, including early sexual activity, drug abuse, low levels of physical activity, unhealthy eating habits and violent behaviour.
The Ministry says it is focusing on this area because physical activity is consistently related to higher levels of self-esteem and lower levels of anxiety and stress. In addition, once there is a positive, enjoyable medium through which physical activity is encouraged, the same medium can be used to promote a healthy lifestyle, it said.
The programme is being implemented in collaboration with Television Jamaica (TVJ), the Social Development Commission, Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) and the Edna Manley School of Dance.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) physical activity guidelines recommend five or more 30-minute sessions of activity per week.
