Nutrition, Health and Wellness

“We are what we eat not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well.”- Derek Rydall. How your food is grown or raised can have a major impact on your mental and emotional health as well as the environment. In 2022, the US fast food industry boasted remarkable revenue of $331.41 billion. Amazingly, the fast food industry has pulled in more than a quarter of a trillion dollars per year! This industry has steadily grown at an impressive rate of about 1.1% for decades. Many of us do not take our nutrition seriously. For the most part to eat a balanced and healthy meal is quite costly. This is especially so for those with families who might be earning minimum wage. The food industry is a multi billion industry. The global fast food market is projected to grow from USD 972.74 billion in 2021 to USD 1,467.04 billion by 2028. Since its founding, McDonalds has grown to over 38,000 restaurants globally that serve close to 68 million customers in 118 countries per day. That represents about 1% of the world's population who want a burger, fries, and/or chicken nuggets as quickly as possible. It has, effectively, morphed into the most popular family restaurant that appeals to children and adults alike and emerged as the dominant force in the quick service restaurant end of the market. This successful restaurant model is not unique to McDonald's. In fact, there are a number of other popular international franchises in this category, including KFC and Taco Bell, Wendy’s and Burger King. The McDonald's brand is valued at over $40 billion. Interestingly, in a most recent report Starbucks edged out McDonald's for the #1 spot. Sometimes we are just too tired to cook or perhaps there are those occasions when we decide to treat ourselves. There are those days at work when you are clueless as to what to eat. Each person’s reality is different and therefore we ought not to judge. We are at the mercy of those who prepare our meals daily. Have you ever been a victim of food poisoning or have developed an allergic reaction to some food? You do not all need to speak at the same time. Kindly raise your hands, I see you there in the blue dress at the back. Yes sir in the third row in the green shirt with black tie. Food preparation is a serious business. In fact, it can be a life or death situation. Recently, the nation was informed that the Kingston and St Andrew Health Department was investigating the suspected food poisoning of 14 members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force at a training camp in the Corporate Area. The police personnel consumed the meals following an exercise on Thursday, confirmed Dr Susan Strachan-Johnson, the senior medical officer of health at the department. Organic Foods. Organic foods often have more beneficial nutrients, such as antioxidants, than their conventionally-grown counterparts and people with allergies to foods, chemicals, or preservatives may find their symptoms lessen or go away when they eat only organic foods. Organic food is oftentimes more expensive and this is always a concern. For most of us on a fixed income we often make the wrong nutritional decisions based on the amount of money we have or don’t have. Organically raised animals are not given antibiotics, growth hormones, or fed animal byproducts. Feeding livestock animal byproducts increases the risk of mad cow disease (BSE) and the use of antibiotics can create antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. Organically-raised animals tend to be given more space to move around and access to the outdoors, which helps to keep them healthy. Organic food is GMO-free. Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) or genetically engineered (GE) foods are plants whose DNA has been altered in ways that cannot occur in nature or in traditional crossbreeding, most commonly in order to be resistant to pesticides or produce an insecticide. Unsanitary Conditions. There have been many cases of suspected and confirmed food poisoning over the months and years. Last week we saw on television, a report of a couple who purchased fish at the Mandeville Market and after consuming the fish they developed a severe case of allergic reaction and had to seek medical attention. Last year October, a popular spot for crab was closed by officials from the Health Ministry. This action regarding the closure followed a viral video showing what appears to be an unsanitary activity by a woman at the popular food spot called 'Crab Circle'. In many instances, there are few or no sanitary facilities for both vendors and patrons at many eateries across the island. One has to ask the question, how effective are the public health inspectors? What if the video did not go viral? As a society we clearly need to revisit how Food Handlers Permits are approved. The incident at Crab Circle involved more than a dozen vendors from the Fletcher's Land community and surrounding areas of downtown Kingston. Sugar Added Foods. Many operators of restaurants have become obsessed in recent times with adding sugar to everything on their menus. Adding sugar to rice and peas, has become normalized. No one cares that a significant number of Jamaicans are diabetic. Sugar is added to almost every meal to add to the flavouring. Even in our soups, sugar is being added to this Jamaican culinary delight. To what extent is the local fast food industry regulated and monitored? Which agency or agencies are tasked with this responsibility? Many of us tend to think that pasta is a vegetable, however it is not. Fruits and vegetables contain important vitamins, minerals and plant chemicals. They also contain fibre. There are many varieties of fruit and vegetables available and many ways to prepare, cook and serve them. A diet high in fruit and vegetables can help protect you against cancer, diabetes and heart disease. An investment in our health must also include an exercise regime. We all know that gym membership can be expensive. However, most of us have access to social media. There are a wide variety of free exercise programmes available on these platforms. Exercise also plays a significant role in combating non-communicable diseases (NCD’s). Front of Package Labelling in the Caribbean. In the Caribbean, the CARICOM Regional Organization for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) is leading, since 2018, the revision of the (2010) CARICOM Regional Standard for Specification for labelling of pre-packaged foods (CRS 5:2010) to incorporate front-of-package labeling specifications. According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remain leading causes of mortality, morbidity and disability in the Caribbean. Three conditions, namely high blood pressure, high fasting blood sugar levels and overweight and obesity, are the main drivers of this disease burden in the region. PAHO adds, High blood pressure, high fasting blood sugar levels and overweight and obesity are closely linked to unhealthy diets, and an excessive intake of sugars, total fats, saturated fats, trans fats and sodium. In turn, the excessive intake of these “critical nutrients” of public health concern is largely driven by the widespread availability, affordability and promotion of processed and ultra-processed food products with unhealthy nutritional profiles. The average consumer does not spend a lot of time reading labels. This is especially so since most labels are placed on the backside of the packages. Studies conducted in 2017 found that warning labels were better able to help consumers correctly identify products with high content of unhealthy nutrients. Non-Communicable Diseases . Overweight and obesity are now dramatically on the rise in Jamaica. One in two Jamaicans (54%) are overweight/obese including two thirds of Jamaican women 15 years or older. Between 2010 and 2017 obesity among Jamaican children aged 13-15 increased by 68%. In Jamaica, like the rest of the world, our diets are now dominated by imported processed and ultraprocessed pre-packaged foods, many of which have high levels of added sugars, sodium, saturated fats, and refined carbohydrates. These nutrients of concern are connected to increased obesity and chronic nutrition-related diseases. Currently, nutrition labelling (nutrition facts panel) on the back of the package is not mandatory for all products in Jamaica therefore some products don’t have it. Even if the product has a nutrition facts panel, research has shown this system may not be sufficient in communicating if a product is unhealthy and simpler, impactful, easier to interpret options are needed. The Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) say it remains concerned about the impact of plans by the government to push for the introduction of front-of-package labelling on products. Under the proposed regime, products would have to follow the “high in” format, which would graphical indicate if a product contains high levels of nutrients such as sugar, salt, and/or fats. This is rather unfortunate, but not surprising given that Jamaica does not have a robust consumer advocacy programme. The government should implement this policy especially as it addresses the growing incidences of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and hypertension. Jamaica could lose an estimated $47 billion in workforce productivity over the next 15 years, if more is not done to reduce the impact of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) on the population. Dr. Christopher Tufton, highlighted that NCDs were “a clear and present danger,” because they represented two-thirds of all deaths which occur in Jamaica. Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) are not transmitted from person to person via direct or indirect contact. They are however heavily influenced by lifestyle choices. The most common NCDs include cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma), and diabetes. Time for Action. The United Nations Sustainable Development (SDG) Goal #3 speaks of ensuring healthy lives and the promotion of well-being for all. Unhealthy diets are the single greatest risk factor for overweight, obesity and diet-related NCDs. In response to obesogenic, health-harming environments, the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) have called for a comprehensive packaging of healthy food policies including at the centre - front of package nutrition labelling (FOPL) systems. In order to align the country with this SDG goal more needs to be done. One such measure is clearly the introduction of Front of Packaging Labelling. Without a doubt more consumer/public education campaigns are needed not only for Jamaica but also in CARICOM countries. It is time that we all invest in our health. In the words of Hippocrates, let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #nutrition #health #SDG#3