Sweet drinks out

By next week, sales of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) at six secondary and primary schools are expected to decrease.

And if the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Barbados (HSFB) has its way, all schools would follow this trend as it combats widespread childhood obesity.

Chief executive officer Michelle Daniel made this announcement yesterday during a Childhood Obesity Prevention Media Managers Orientation at Hilton Barbados.

She said the six model schools which have already signed on to restrict the sale of SSBs were Reynold Weekes Primary, Rock Christian Primary, Christ Church Foundation School, Queen’s College, The St Michael School and Alexandra School.

The Pan-American Health Organisation’s (PAHO) advisor on NCDs and Mental Health, Dr Elisa Prieto, and Minister of Information, Senator Lucille Moe, also attended the event to show their support. Moe, who said she hoped more schools adopted the measure, said it was needed due to the prevalence of childhood obesity. (TG)

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