Policies specifically related to the agriculture and food sectors could contribute to a decrease in nutrition-related chronic diseases (NCDs) that account for about 57 per cent of deaths in the Caribbean region.

Policy guidelines such as providing an incentive to farmers to produce more ground provisions, fruits and vegetables could aid in the reduction of lifestyle diseases such as stroke, diabetes and hypertension.

Come next Tuesday, Agriculture Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton, will be part of a symposium to elaborate the specific policies in the agriculture and food sector that can impact on obesity and NCDs.

The symposium, a collaboration of the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI), Food and Agriculture Organisation and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, is to be held at the Grand Bahía Príncipe hotel in Runaway Bay, St. Ann.

Dr. Ballayram, food economist at CFNI, said several other policies such as incentives that would allow farmers to bring their produce to the market, could assist in increasing healthy food choices.

"A clear policy would be to require some legislative framework that restricts the promotion of foods high (in) calories or foods high in sugar, high in refined starches and saturated fat, and high in trans-fat, mostly to children and adults," Dr. Ballayram said.

In Jamaica, the 18-24 age group accounts for about 11 per cent of those persons who are obese, while the 25-34 age bracket comprises approximately 21 per cent of those who are obese.

The food economist said Caribbean leaders are moving to multisectoral action, with agencies such as the Ministry of Health, farmers and agricultural groups, in the fight against obesity and NCDs.