Read and burn off those food calories
The release of Bermuda's 2008/2009 phone book next week may not only be used as an impromptu weight, but could be used to lose weight.
That's because Health Minister Nelson Bascome yesterday revealed a Healthy Living Guide and a Directory of Services that will be included in the new directory.
As well as breaking down how many calories there are in a piece of food, the Guide also tells people how much exercise must be done in order to burn calories.
For example two grapes will need a minute of walking to burn off the five calories they represent, while a more guilty pleasure — a glass of wine — will require 12 minutes of dancing to burn its 80 calories.
Mr. Bascome said: "As part of the Well Bermuda, Healthy Weight Action Plan we are launching another initiative the 'Healthy Living Guide' to support and encourage the maintenance of a healthy body weight for height in Bermuda residents.
"As we are all aware 60 percent of our population is overweight and obese which is Bermuda's number one health problem.
"Overweight and obesity occurs for one simple reason: we are consuming more calories than we are burning.
"The aim of the 'Healthy Living Guide' is to ensure all households have access to helpful tools to assist them in achieving a healthy body weight."
The Guide provides the illustrations that break down the number of calories, as well as a Body Mass Index chart to calculate body fat, and a 'Balance Your Life Wheel' to help figure out how to balance work and working-out.
While the guide will breakdown what the public is eating and doing, the Directory of Services which will also be included in the phone book will identify health professionals who can help.
It will be the sixth edition of the directory and consists of more than 100 organisations including nonprofit, registered charities and Government agencies.
All services will be listed alphabetically with address, phone, fax and e-mail contact information.
Both of these publications will be not only included in the phone book in the "Health and Government" blue pages section of the directory, but also online at www.health.gov.bm today at the link titled, 'Directory of Services'.
Mr. Bascome added: "We hope that children, seniors, persons with disabilities, their families and caregivers as well as the professionals working with them will find the directory helpful in identifying appropriate services.
"I encourage the public to take advantage of the 'Health Living Guide' found in the Bermuda Telephone Directory and the Directory of Services 2008 on our website at www.health.gov.bm."