The Bermuda Heart Foundation has set out its goals for "achieving a heart healthy community through partnership".

Chairman David Mutch this week stressed the need for prevention education in schools, workplaces and the wider community, in order to reduce the Island's growing obesity crisis.

Mr. Mutch was invited to address the Hamilton Rotary Club on Tuesday to mark February as Heart month.

He said: "Sadly, heart disease is recognised as Bermuda's number one killer, and with the alarming increase in heart disease risk factors in our children, the Bermuda Heart Foundation recently undertook a comprehensive strategic review of its current platform to better align its efforts with the needs of the community."

Referring to recent statistics which state 60 percent of the population is overweight, a quarter obese, and 35 percent of five to ten-year-olds overweight, Mr. Mutch said: "It is predicted that this generation of children will have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. It is clear that a more active approach focusing on prevention education is needed.

"As with diabetes, heart disease is something of a crisis situation in Bermuda and (our statistics) suggests it is moving further ahead than other countries.

"It is all very worrying, but I think there are all sorts of agencies in Bermuda trying to effect gradual change and to bring us to a much healthier state."

He said the Heart Foundation now plans to disseminate information and provide year-round support throughout the community, but in particular focusing on schools, workplaces and retail stores.

The organisation has also teamed up with The Royal Gazette for this newspaper's Have a Heart Campaign.

Mr. Mutch said: "The Foundation's vision is to realise a Bermuda that understands the causes and symptoms of heart disease and knows how to prevent and manage it through lifestyle changes. Only then will we realise a decrease in heart disease incidence, and heart-related disabilities."

A chartered accountant and human resource leader, he said he himself had suffered the devastating effects of a heart attack three years ago, as he watched the West Indies cricket team play a match in Bermuda. Since then he has exercised every day.

"I had become very sedentary in the ten or 15 years before," said Mr. Mutch. "I ignored the medical advice I was being given and wasn't paying attention to my diet.

"But I was fortunate enough to survive and got terrific cardiac care at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and at Johns Hopkins. I also received tremendous support from family and friends.

"I am sure my heart attack three years ago could have been avoided. Now I get a daily dose of exercise. I can't honestly say my diet is the best, but I'm trying the best I can.

"But if there's one thing that will save you and give you a shot at a healthy life, it's exercise."

On Tuesday, the public is invited to the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute to watch a screening of "Super Size Me" (PG-13) ¿ an account of a man's decline in health as he consumes only fast food over 30 days. Other events, discussions and even healthy cookery classes will take place throughout the month. Log on to www.bermudaheart.org for more information.