by Eulana Weekes
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): “Everybody needs to act;” that is the international theme under which World Obesity Day will be held this year. World Obesity Day is celebrated annually on March 4.
In observance of the day, the Nevis Health Promotion Unit organised a road relay in Charlestown, dubbed, “A Fun Run in the Sun” under the local sub-theme, “Passing the Baton of Good Health. This will take place on Thursday, March 03 at 2:00 pm.
In 2021, the road relay was staged for the first time, where the Government’s Information Technology Department emerged winners. The I.T Department opted out of the relay this year, as it’s their decision to retire as winners. This year, eight teams are expected to compete in the road relay, including, The Royal St.Christopher and Nevis Police Force (Nevis Division), Inland Revenue Department, Nevis Postal Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Alexandra Hospital, the combined staff of the Charlestown and Gingerland Secondary Schools, Nevis Electricity Company and Four Seasons Resort.
The participants of the relay will compete across five legs.
First leg- Best Buy Supermarket to the Charlestown Police Station.
Second leg- Charlestown Police Station to Theodore L. Hobson Court Building
Third leg- Court building to Iron Shed at the Charlestown Ferry Terminal
Fourth leg- Iron Shed, along the Samuel Hunkins Drive on to the intersection of Main Street and Crosses Alley
Fifth leg- along Main Street, ending at the bust of The Right Excellent Dr. Simeon Daniel
Senior Health Officer at the Nevis Health Promotion Unit, Ms. Shevanee Nisbett told WINN Media that her team is excited about the initiative,
“We are excited about this. Initiatives such as this are encouraging persons to get fit and exercise, do something active, which are ways we can prevent and control Obesity. It is a risk factor for a lot of the NCDs (Non-communicable Diseases) which are plaguing our health systems, such as diabetes, hypertension and kidney disease; just to name a few.”
Nisbett used the opportunity to invite the general public to come out and witness some excitement in the city.
“It will be exciting and fun. The teams that are participating seem to be very excited about this and the competition seems to be stiff, and so it will be fun and we’re encouraging the general public to come out and participate by cheering on or just encouraging persons who you would like to see win.”
The Senior Health Officer expressed appreciation to the businesses who made the road relay possible through their kind sponsorship. The major sponsor is Taiwan ICDF. Other sponsors include the Ministry of Health and Gender Affairs, Nevis, Bull’s Gym, Bath United Gym, Catch It Restaurant and Bar, Kaiso Bar and Lounge, Runway Grill, Tropical Boost Smoothies, God’s Creation, LBW Bakery Deli and Bar, Oasis Snackette Bar and Lounge and Five Trees Restaurant and Bar.
