Jamaicans move for health and wellness

On Thursday, May 10, Jamaicans decided to get moving wherever and however they could in celebration of World Move for Health Day, a global day of awareness and action to get people all around the world to move.

Across the 14 parishes, primary and high schools, local companies, running clubs, fitness clubs and government ministries participated, making this a day of over 1,000 persons moving.

World Move for Health Day was started by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2003 after they found out a shocking number of facts about people who are inactive, according to their World Health Report of 2002. Among them, physical inactivity is now the fourth-leading risk factor for global mortality.

Physical inactivity is among the main factors contributing to global chronic-disease morbidity and mortality. Overall, these chronic diseases now account for 60 per cent of premature deaths annually.

By increasing physical activity in Jamaica, cancer, heart disease and type 2 diabetes can be prevented.

The Jamaica Moves campaign, the country's coordinated national response to the increased incidences of non-communicable disease (NCDs), saw it fit to actively follow through on its campaign message and showcase activities that promote at least 30 minutes of physical activity each day, healthy eating, and knowledge of health status, all with the aim of lowering the risk of NCDs.

Activities hosted on Move For Health Day included boot camps, hikes, mile walks/runs, dance sessions, fitness classes, and aerobics classes.

Partners included Sweet Energy Fitness Team, Krystal Cameron Designs, WGTR, Pacers Running Club, Go Run Club, O'Shane Bryant Fitness, Body By Kurt, Lymers Running Club, Alpha Boys, Fit Rev Fitness, Victoria Mutual Group, Train Fit Mile Chasers, Cave Valley Primary and Infant School, Hopewell High School, The Catholic College of Mandeville, the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority, the Western Regional Health Authority, Mandeville Hotel, Irie Gym, Round Hill Hotel & Villas, The Edna Manley School of Dance, The Council of Community Colleges of Jamaica, the North East Regional Health Authority, the South East Regional Health Authority, the Southern Regional Health Authority, Hillel Academy, and the Maritime Authority of Jamaica.