The Department of Public Transport yesterday celebrated its fourth annual Wellness Day event with free screenings and informational presentations.

A number of vendors and organisations yesterday set up information booths at the Department’s Palmetto Road headquarters to encourage healthy lifestyle choices, while others put on demonstrations.

Among the groups taking part were Bermuda Health Care Services, Brown Darrell Clinic, Open Airways, the Chronic Disease Management Centre and the Diabetes Resource Centre.

Attendees were also treated to a Zumba demonstration and performances by the Northlands Primary School Hot Steppers.

Minister of Health Trevor Moniz noted the number of groups who agreed to take part in the event and stressing the significant issue of chronic lifestyle ailments on the Island.

“According to the 2011 Health in Review report, obesity, diabetes and congestive heart failure continue to plague our Island at alarming rates, rates well above the average for OECD countries,” he said.

“The report shows that 24 percent of Bermudian adults are considered obese, while 19 percent of young Bermudians between 11 and 18 are considered overweight or obese. These numbers are startling and are some of the reasons why events like today’s are so important in our community.”

He added that attendees were given “passports” which were stamped by visiting the various displays. Those who visited more than 90 percent of the displays could enter a raffle for small prizes.

Transport Minister Shawn Crockwell said that while we are all aware of the importance of health and wellness, we don’t always make the right choices.

“With so much information available — both good and bad — it is easy to get confused and leave living a healthy lifestyle to another day,” he said. “Tomorrow, perhaps, next week or even next month.

“However we need to make the commitment every day as we all know that healthy employees are happy employees, and happy employees are productive employees.”