This was the information from the first session with students of forms 1-4 in SAGHS. It is a general overview on health & some statistics in Trinidad and Tobago.

1. ED-YOUTH-CATION
GROUP MEMBERS:
Aaron Ali, Jeron Khanhai,
Kelsey Maharaj, Meagan Mohammed,
Vedesh Ragoonath, Brandon Ramroop,
Ian Ramodhar

2. WHY ARE WE HERE?
¢ Our aim is to educate and promote
with respect to healthy living and
preventative measures for the
prevalent non-communicable
diseases in Trinidad and Tobago.

4. WHAT IS HEALTH?
¢ According to the World
Health Organization (WHO),
health is defined as “a
complete state of physical,
mental and social well-being,
and not merely the absence of
disease or infirmity.”

5. WHAT IS A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE?
¢ A healthy lifestyle is one which helps to
keep and improve people's health and well-
being.
¢ This includes:
Family traditions, Health education,
Likable occupation, Safe environment,
Adequate nutrition, Physical fitness,
Absence of bad habits or addiction,
Personal hygiene, Love and tenderness,
Positive social communication, enough
sleep and rest and also include having time
to enjoy other activities and hobbies

6. WHAT IS A NON COMMUNICABLE DISEASE?
¢ Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) –
not passed from person to person.
¢ Have a long duration and progresses
slowly.
¢ The 4 main types of noncommunicable
diseases are:
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Cancers
- Chronic respiratory diseases
- Diabetes.

7. STATISTICS
¢ Trinidad & Tobago has the highest percentage of
obesity in the Caribbean!
¢ We are also ranked 5th among all countries
worldwide (2013) with 30% of our adult
population obese. 30% of 1.3M is 390,000!
¢ That means something is wrong with the hearts
of our country! Cardiovascular deals with the
cardiovascular system, which directly involves
the heart and so we, as future leaders, need to fix
it!

8. 32%
14%
16%
11%
27%
CVDs
Diabetes Mellitus
Cancers
Injuries including
RTAs
Other causes
Including other non
communicable diseases and
infectious diseases
Leading causes of death in 2012 according to the
WHO in 2012

9. ¢ Research done in 2011 among children
in Trinidad & Tobago yielded this
shocking result:
¢ 25% of persons aged 5-18 is overweight
or obese.
¢ There are several risk factors that can
account for this, as well as general pre-
dispositions like home and social
environment

10. ¢ What is obesity?
¢ Obesity is simply the abnormal or excessive
fat that may impair health. (WHO 2013)
¢ Here in Trinidad and Tobago 25% of
secondary school children are overweight
(Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute)
¢ We are also the 5th most obese country in
the world with 1st and 2nd being mexico and
the USA respectively.
¢ Obesity decreases life expectancy and
increases risk of health problems

11. ¢ What causes obesity?
¢ Culture
¢ Occupation
¢ Activity
¢ Diet

12. ¢ What are the risks of obesity?
¢ Cardiovascular disease
¢ Diabetes
¢ Cancer
¢ Reproductive problems
¢ Social Discrimation
¢ Low self esteem
¢ Increase in substance abuse

13. Physical activity reduces risk for 8
conditions According to the Centers for
Disease Control:-
¢ Heart disease
¢ Stroke
¢ High blood pressure
¢ Type 2 diabetes
¢ Obesity
¢ Depression
¢ Breast and colon cancer
¢ Osteoporosis

14. ¢ The importance of Physical fitness cannot be
emphasized enough.
¢ Fitness and healthy lifestyles should not be
periodical like for Carnival or July-August
vacation but year round.
¢ Staying active means keeping your body
functioning at a high level. Regular exercise
will maintain the performance of your lungs
and heart to most efficiently burn off excess
calories and keep your weight under control.
¢ Physical activity is essential to prevent and
reduce risks of many diseases and improve
physical and mental health.

15. ¢ Exercising does not have to be
something boring and dreaded. It can
be something that you enjoy that helps
to increase the overall happiness in
your life, as well as relieve symptoms of
stress, depression and anxiety.
¢ Physical activity also keeps you in
shape so you can enjoy leisurely
activities and safely perform all other
daily activities
¢ It offers great mental and social
benefits as well.

16. ¢ It’s no surprise that the more you help
your body, the more you help your
mind.
¢ Physical activity increases the flow of
oxygen to your brain and increases
the amount of endorphins (the feel-
good chemicals) in the brain. For this
reason, it’s not surprising that people
who are in good physical shape also
tend to enjoy a higher level of mental
agility.