Let’s Move Day misses target, but anti-obesity drive is praised

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Obesity is a problem in Bermuda, but the Department of Health hopes its new initiatives will help bring the rate down to a satisfactory level through exercise and healthy eating.

The Department and the Bermuda Conference of Seventh-day Adventists organised ‘Let’s Move Day’ on September 23, in hopes of getting locals out and exercising that day.

Residents were invited to exercise on their own, as part of a club, or participate in one two planned walks held that day.

A 10,000-mile goal wasn’t reached, but the initiative was deemed a success by the Department of Health.

“Physical activity is one of the essential keys to health, healing, and wholeness and, as such, events such as Let’s Move Day are so important for us as a community,” said Health Minister Zane DeSilva.

“The goal was to generate 10,000 miles Islandwide, and we can be proud to say we ended up logging 6,264 miles which is pretty impressive.

“The main goal of our Well Bermuda, our National Health promotion strategy, encourages the maintenance of a healthy body weight as a primary health promotion goal.

“The Department of Health was glad to be a part of the collaborative team that organised Let’s Move Day and look forward to future collaborations. “

The 2011 Adult Health Survey found that 67 percent of adults were overweight or obese, while the 2006 Healthy Survey found that 36 percent of five to ten-year-olds were overweight or obese.

Participants in Let’s Move Day were encouraged to log their miles on the Department of Health website.

Francis Patton Primary logged the most miles by a school; 24 Hour Fitness posted the most miles by a health club; New Creation Worship Centre logged the most miles generated by an organisation.

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