Education Minister Terry Lister donated skipping ropes to students at Spice Valley Middle School yesterday as part of Diabetes Awareness Week while reminding young people of the health benefits of regular exercise.

Mr. Lister said the Ministry of Education and Development has partnered with the Bermuda Diabetes Association to support schools to keep students healthy.

The Ministry of Education is keen to reduce the numbers of children who suffer from diabetes, said Mr. Lister.

Studies have shown that Type II diabetes can be prevented with a good diet and at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. An increasing number of young people in Bermuda are at risk of developing the onset of diabetes in their adult years due to an increase in sedentary activity, junk food and sugary drinks.

Mr. Lister encouraged Middle School students to get active.

"Students can improve your overall health and quality of life by making physical activity a part of your daily life. Being physically active early in your life has many physical, social and emotional benefits and can lead to fewer health problems later in life," he said.

"Good health requires that we have a proper balance of physical activity, good stress management habits, productive relationships with others and a sense of the spiritual. As part of the Bermuda Diabetes Association celebration of Diabetes Prevention Month, Government donated pedometers and skipping ropes to the Middle Schools to encourage you to get up ... get out and keep moving."