With the launch of Heart Month comes the call for Jamaicans to make heart-healthy choices that will reduce their chances of heart disease. Health Minister Dr Christopher Tufton reiterated the importance of front of package labeling to help consumers choose better foods.
Obesity, the leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke, is the focus of this year’s Heart Month observance. The Heart Foundation of Jamaica reports that 54 percent of Jamaicans 15 years and older are overweight or obese.
Under the weight of this crushing statistic, Health Minister Christopher Tufton is imploring Jamaicans to make heart-healthy food choices. This, as treating lifestyle diseases overwhelms the health sector. He supports the use of the front of package labels to help consumers know, at a glance, what products are high in sodium, sugar, and fat.
Reporter: Jhanielle Powell
