District health wing starts healthy plate programme

Kochi: In the wake of rising obesity and lifestyle diseases, the district health department has launched obesity-prevention programme to prevent and manage health hazards due to it. The model of ‘healthy eating plate’, created by nutrition experts at Harvard School of Public Health is being implemented in the district. The Healthy Eating Plate provides detailed guidance, in a simple format, to help people make the best eating choices.

The programme was launched by MLA Hibi Eden on Saturday. Corporation tax appeal standing committee chairman K.V.P. Krishna Kumar presided over. District medical officer Dr N.K. Kuttappan delivered the keynote address. Deputy DMO Dr K.R. Vidya briefed about the programme.

An expo organised by students of St Teresa’s College based on the theme ‘health through balanced eating plate’ and cultural programmes of the ‘Oruma’ group of Government General Hospital, Ernakulam were also  held as part of the launch.

The programme has been jointly orgnaised by National Health Mission, District Medical Office, Indian Medical Association’s food safety initiative Unite for Healthy Ernakulam and dietary department at General Hospital.

The initiative assumes much significance as the rate of obesity and overweight among urban population, including school children, is on rapid increase. Kerala is on second position in terms of number of obese and overweight people while Punjab tops the list. As per the National Family Health Survey-IV (2015-16), 34.5 per cent of women and 38.9 per cent of men are obese in Ernakulam district.