Poor nutritional practices are placing a heavy burden on Jamaica's fragile health sector.

Billions are being spent annually to meet the needs of thousands of patients seeking treatment in public health facilities, Minister of Health Rudyard Spencer told an audience at the National Health Fund 2008 awards function at the University of the West Indies recently.

In 2001 alone, US$419.3 million (J$32.2 billion) was spent to treat patients with hypertension and diabetes. There are about 150,000 Jamaicans, 15 to 74 years old, living with diabetes at home, surveys show. More than 450,000 people in the same age group are living with hypertension, most of whom are women.

"The cost to the economy has been horrendous," Spencer said. According to him, non-communicable diseases are considered the worst epidemic of the 21st century.

Obesity a major problem

Obesity, which can lead to the development of many lifestyle diseases, is a major problem in Jamaica and many other countries around the world. The disease is prevalent in 25.2 per cent of Jamaicans, 37.5 per cent of whom are female, compared to only 12 per cent of males.

Spencer said the Government is set to focus on improving nutrition in schools and the workplace to counter the rapid growth in people who develop chronic diseases annually.

"We will work with businesses, especially the food industry, to ensure that the Jamaican people have healthy choices and are better informed consumers," he said.