Adolescent obesity is a national health concern.
This statement was made by the Ministry of Health and Medical Services after Solomon Islands was found to be within the top 20 fattest counties in the world.
Adolescent or teenage obesity is a great concern, especially with the increasing population of diabetic and overweight patients admitted and treated at hospitals and clinics within the country at relatively young ages.
Permanent Secretary, Dr Lester Ross previously told this paper that non-communicable disease such as diabetes is a great concern, especially with the recent report of Solomon Islands being one of the fattest countries on the globe.
“It is a great national concern, and the most dangerous thing about it is that it is non communicable and depends entirely on our diet and way of living.
“If our children continue living on junk food day in day out without proper diet control measures, then such statistics are not a surprise as more and more people (mostly youths) are being diagnosed with diabetes,” Ross told this paper.
He also highlighted that other illnesses such as heart attacks, strokes and depression are affecting young patients.
He said such illnesses come about if people continue to practice unhealthy diet or lack of exercise.
Meanwhile, the ministry and its stakeholders are continuing to preach healthy diet practices through awareness programmes not only in Honiara but mostly throughout the provinces.
BY JEREMY INIFIRI
