9 October 2006
Nutrition week is celebrated from the 9 - 16 October annually. The Western
Cape provincial Department of Health will be launching the Food Based Dietary
Guidelines (FBDG) during nutrition week.
The national Department of Health has approved a set of FBDG to be used as a
basis for a healthy eating plan to promote healthy living and to combat the
growing burden of diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, certain cancers,
diabetes and dental caries and nutritional disorders associated with poverty
and undernutrition.
"The Western Cape province is in a 'Nutrition transition' with obesity and
associated diseases of lifestyle becoming serious public health problems," said
Pierre Uys, Minister of Health for the Western Cape. It was reported that 9,2%
of men and 19,3% of women in the province have hypertension. Additionally 25,3%
men are overweight compared to 25,9% women, while 13,1% men are obese and 31,2%
of women. These figures are particularly high demonstrating the portion of the
population that is directly affected by the nutrition transition.
"Nutrition's role in reducing the burden of disease, specifically in the
management of healthy lifestyles is becoming more critical," Uys said. The
National Department of Health plays an integral part through its Healthy
Lifestyle campaign, which promotes the consumption of vegetables and fruit as
part of healthy eating with the theme "Eat vegetables and fruit for better
health".
The provincial Department of Health will launch the FBDG on Monday, 9
October 2006, at Lookout Hill, Khayelitsha. "These guidelines form the core of
the nutrition educational messages to create a healthier home for all and to
promote appropriate diets, physical activity and healthy lifestyles among all
South Africans," said Uys.
Enquiries:
Faiza Steyn
Tel: (021) 483 3235
Herman van der Westhuizen
Tel: (021) 483 2627
Issued by: Department of Health, Western Cape Provincial Government
9 October 2006
Source: Western Cape Provincial Government (http://www.capegateway.gov.za)
