The health of school-aged Jamaican youth continues to be a major area of concern for the nation due to its far-reaching implications on both individual and national development. Currently, data suggests that more than 30,000 Jamaican children between 10 and 19 are hypertensive, and in 2017 the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global School-based Student Health Survey revealed that 20% of boys and 26% of girls between the ages of 13-17 were overweight, and almost 10% of girls and boys classified as obese. At present, Jamaican students do not have adequate and equal access to healthy food at school, with inconsistent standards, as there is currently no policy or legislation to offer guidance.
However, that may change, after Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Christopher Tufton announced that a long-awaited school nutrition policy is well advanced. As food for thought, we explore the changing future of nutrition and health in Jamaican schools. Joining us in the studio is the Executive Director of the Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network, Shannique Bowden, and representing the Jamaica Island Nutrition Network via zoom, School Nutrition Specialist, Pat Thompson.
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