Health status check

Louis Callender having his blood sugar checked by Monica Batson of the Diabetes Association of Barbados while other members of the association perform other health checks.

Masseuse Jan Parris rubbing the shoulders of Peter Worrell while fitness coach and massage therapist Brenda Worrell massages the shoulders of Eldeen Dottin. (Pictures by Sharon Harding.)

Barbados National Oil Company staff member Mervin Nurse trying out aerobic exercises using dumb-bells.

Health, safety, security and environmental officer of the Barbados National Oil Company, Patrick Welch, addressing those in attendance at yesterday’s health fair.

Sat, May 12, 2012 - 12:05 AM

The Barbados National Oil Company offered health checks to staff members as well as residents and students from schools in the surrounding community at a health fair yesterday at its Woodbourne, St Philip grounds.

The company’s health, safety, security and environmental officer Patrick Welch said the fair was to heighten awareness of the various health issues that might affect them.

Welch said: “People are ageing and they need to be made aware of how lifestyle and attitude to health and nutrition can affect them and impair their health.

“You have choices . . . to eat healthy or to not eat healthy and then deal with the consequences.”

He said that people needed to know the status of their health so they could make sensible decisions about it.

Present at the health fair were members of the Diabetes Association of Barbados, who administered blood sugar, pressure and cholesterol checks. The Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Cancer Support Services were also present to distribute healthcare information, while several producers of healthy foods were on hand to give samples of their products.

Participants were also treated to mini massages and aerobic exercise demonstrations. (LK)