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Contacts

Bird Rock, St Kitts, St Kitts and Nevis, West Indies

info@lakehealthandwellbeing.com

+1 869 765 8702

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Diet
June 22, 2021

Food and Nutrition Security in the Caribbean

In an article written by the Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, Timothy Antoine, he explains how the COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating food and nutrition insecurity across the Caribbean region. Food and nutrition security is not only about the sustainability of food supply systems, but it is also about food accessibility, price, safety and nutritional value. The article highlights the fact that the pandemic has further weakened vulnerable food systems in the region due to high levels of dependence on imported products from international food supply chains. 

Antoine notes how the health impacts of the pandemic are particularly alarming since income losses are limiting households’ ability to purchase nutritious foods, which are vital for building healthy immune response to illnesses during the pandemic. Considering these economic challenges, the purchase and consumption of cheaper, ultra-processed foods that are high in sodium, sugar and fats has increased. Prior to the pandemic, the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the region was already attributed to poor nutrition and unhealthy consumption choices, and within the current economic context, these unhealthy food alternatives are most accessible and affordable, especially for low-income households.

 

The article concludes with a call to action for Caribbean governments to reduce the regional food import bill and invest in cultivating an indigenous food supply ecosystem that enables trade of local produce by:

  • enhancing regional transportation systems to facilitate more strategic cross-border shipping and trade of fresh produce
  • utilizing digital technologies to improve the quality, reliability, and resilience of healthy and locally grown food, and
  • adopting fiscal policies that tax ultra-processed foods and incentivise local production and purchase

Acknowledging the public health challenges that the region faces with NCDs and the ways the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the vulnerability of our food and nutrition systems, Governor Antoine encourages the adoption of an all of society approach to improving the health and sustainability of our people. Governments, private sector, civil society and individuals each have an important role to play in enhancing food and nutrition security as a primary approach to combatting the threat of non-communicable diseases and implementing meaningful long-term solutions for socio-economic transformation and sustainability.

To read the original article click here.

By admin
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DietYou're Sweet Enough
June 18, 2021

Sweetened Beverages Webinar

On Saturday 12 June 2021, we teamed up with Black History Walks to host a webinar entitled the Dangers of Sweetened Beverages in the African Diaspora. This event was part of Black History Walks’ event series in conjunction with the UCL Sarah Parker Remond Centre.

The webinar was moderated by Abi Begho, the Founder of Lake Health and Wellbeing and speakers included:

This event provided us with the opportunity to extend our reach beyond the shores of the Caribbean Sea and connect with the Caribbean community in the UK. This connection to the Caribbean is an important one because our communities have the same health concerns. In the Caribbean, we are faced with an NCD epidemic. PAHO reports that 78% of all deaths in the Caribbean are due to NCDs and 76% of all premature deaths are caused by these diseases1. The rates of NCDs across the Caribbean are high with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cancer and stroke being the most common NCDs. In the UK, the African diaspora community, which includes communities with connections to Africa and the Caribbean, face the same health challenges. The Black community in the UK, have higher rates of type 2 diabetes, some cancers and hypertension than their white counterparts2,3. Additionally, they are more likely to be diagnosed with these conditions at a later stage and therefore have poorer outcomes.

Some of the factors fuelling the high rates of NCDs on both sides of the Atlantic are physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, harmful use of alcohol and tobacco use. To tackle NCDs, we have to encourage behaviour change that encourages people to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Through our You’re Sweet Enough campaign we’re focusing on one aspect of the public’s lifestyle, healthy drinking.

Research has shown that the food we eat and the drinks we consume contribute to increasing our risk of developing NCDs. Specifically, sweetened beverages (SBs). These types of drinks have been linked to unhealthy weight gain and obesity, which are associated with NCDs. This is because of their very high sugar content. Hence, our campaign encourages the public to reduce their consumption of SBs and to select water instead.

This webinar was part of our drive to educate the public about the harms of SBs. We also used this opportunity to highlight the challenges that the public health community faces when implementing strategies to reduce SB consumption and examples of successful approaches. This event was very well received by participants, with there being a high level of engagement throughout the event with the chat and Q&A being very lively.

We’d like to say a big thank you to Black History Walk and the Sarah Parker Remond Centre for giving us the opportunity to raise awareness of this important issue. We would also like to thank all those who attended and last, but definitely not least, we would like to express our sincere gratitude to Francine Charles, Rachel Morrison and Isalean Phillip for their very informative presentations.

If you missed this event, you can watch the recording below.

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  1. NCDs in the Caribbean, PAHO (2016)
  2. Diabetes UK
  3. Schofield P. Br J Gen Pract. 2011; 61 (585): 190-196
By admin
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Fibroids
June 16, 2021

Fibrome Info France’s Ongoing Fibroids Campaign

As we begin our work to support women in St Kitts and Nevis who have been affected by fibroids, it has been interesting to explore what is happening on the global scene. When we take a closer look, we see that there are organisations working tirelessly in their jurisdictions to highlight this neglected woman’s health issue.

Today, we’re going to look at Fibrome Info France’s campaign which was launched in March 2021. As part of this campaign, Fibrome Info France partnered with the Women’s Right Ministry in France to raise awareness of menstruation and fibroids. Their campaign aimed to use a variety of communication platforms to empower women with information about fibroids that would empower women to take control of their health. Their campaign focuses on the health and societal challenges associated with fibroids such as the huge burden fibroids place on women’s quality of life and women’s sexual and reproductive health and the action that is required to address these issues.

In April,  their campaign rolled out in hospitals, clinics and medical practices and they utilised printed material including posters and leaflets which were distributed across 550 relay points.  Furthermore, this month (June 2021) their campaign moved into another phase where they will host a series of webinars in partnership with medical experts and these webinars will continue until October 2021.

This is a great campaign that provides much-needed information around fibroids and we’re sure it will make a significant difference by highlighting this important women’s health issue, empowering women with fibroids and providing women with access to the support that they need to manage fibroids.

More Information

To find out more about Fibrome Info France you can visit their website here or follow them on social media:

By admin
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Podcasts
June 8, 2021

Sweet Talk E2: The Importance of Water

Tuesday 6th June, 2021

In this episode of Sweet Talk, we’re highlighting water as the healthy drink choice. Latoya Matthew-Duncan, the Nutrition Surveillance Coordinator at the Ministry of Health in St. Kitts, explains why water is so important for our health and nutrition. She shares some great tips on how to make water more flavourful so that everyone can be encouraged to choose water as the necessary and healthy drink alternative to sweetened beverages.

By admin
Front of Pack
Front-of-Pack Labelling News
May 27, 2021

Advocacy for front-of-pack labelling

CARICOM member states have been discussing and voting on the adoption of a regional food labelling standard, which would require an octagonal front of package warning label (FOPWL) to be placed on food products  “High in” sugars, sodium and fats, according to thresholds outlined by the PAHO Nutrient Profile Model. These nutrients are of great public health concern as excess consumption is linked to obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs); which are a significant burden to the people and economy of the Caribbean. Voting on the standard by CARICOM member states ends on May 31, 2021.

FOPWL is one of a combination of key policies, which have been identified by PAHO/WHO as ‘Best Buys’ to tackle overweight, obesity and diet-related NCDs. Specifically, the octagonal FOPWL scheme allows consumers to quickly, easily and correctly identify packaged foods which are high in critical nutrients of concern.  Evidence, including a study conducted by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Jamaica, the University of Technology, Jamaica and PAHO, has shown that octagonal warning labels performed better than all other front of pack labelling schemes in improving the capacity of consumers to make healthier food decisions in Jamaica. To learn more about regional advocacy for FOPWL, visit the Healthy Caribbean Coalition and show your support by signing a petition here.

During our last Health & Herbal Tea feature on WinnFm,  our Advocacy Officer, Isalean Phillip,  had an informative conversation with public engagement on the topic of FOPWL. Check out the radio show feature below and remember to join us live every first Wednesday for Health & Herbal Tea.

 

By admin
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Women's Health
May 14, 2021

Menstrual Health Has a Definition

We were absolutely delighted to learn that the term menstrual health now has an official definition. This is a huge achievement and will be of significant benefit to organisations, like us, working on health issues that impact menstrual health. Specifically, this will enable us to provide more clarity and structure around the work we do on fibroids.

The work to develop a definition for menstrual health was led by the Terminology Action Group of the Global Menstrual Collective.  Using the WHO’s definition of health, the Lancet Guttmacher Commission’s definition of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and past concepts of menstrual hygiene and menstrual health, a multi-stakeholder group developed a comprehensive definition to:

  1. Ensure menstrual health is recognised as a significant global health issue
  2. Highlight the multi-faceted nature of menstrual health
  3. Facilitate a shared language when discussing menstrual health issues

Important points to note about this definition are that it:

  • Considers mental, social and physical wellbeing
  • Highlights the need for age-appropriate education
  • Highlights the right for women to take care of themselves during menstruation and be able to access timely diagnosis, treatment and care for menstrual health-related issues
  • Recognises the need for women to be treated with respect, dignity and sensitivity when it comes to issues related to their menstrual cycle
  • Stresses that women should have a choice as to when and how they participate in all areas of society during the different phases of their menstrual cycle
  • Recognises that menstrual health is not just limited to women’s periods

For us, this definition will be instrumental as we take forward the findings of our fibroids qualitative research project. Now that we have a formal definition for menstrual health, we can apply this to the menstrual health challenges that women with fibroids experience. This will create more structure around our future policy, advocacy, research and public health interventions aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of women living with fibroids.

More Information

For more information, you can read the journal article published by the Global Menstrual Collective here

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By admin
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CancerYou're Sweet Enough
May 12, 2021

SSBs and Bowel Cancer

On 6th May 2021, researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine published the findings from their research exploring the link between sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and early-onset bowel cancer (bowel cancer before the age of 50) in women. They found that women, under the age of 50, who consumed two or more servings of SSBs per day were more than twice as likely to develop bowel cancer than women who consumed less than one serving per week.

This piece of work was part of the ongoing Nurses’ Health Study II (1991-2015) and included 95,464 women who were asked to record their food and beverage intake every four years for 24 years. Additionally, researchers collected information on potential risk factors for bowel cancer such as weight, diet, family history, smoking habits, physical activity and use of aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Then, using statistical analysis, they explored any links between SSB intake and early-onset bowel cancer.

What Did They Find?

They found that women who consumed high quantities of SSBs in adulthood were more likely to be less physically active, consume red and processed meats and have a poor-quality diet. They also found that high consumption of SSBs in adulthood and adolescence was linked to a higher risk of developing early-onset bowel cancer (no link was observed with fruit juice consumption or artificially sweetened beverages).  It is important to note that this link was observed after taking into account the main risk factors for bowel cancer (e.g. diet, exercise and other related factors).

Researchers reported that out of the 95,464 women who were studied over the 24 years, 109 went on to develop early-onset bowel cancer.

Although researchers found a link between early-onset bowel cancer and SSB consumption because this was an observational study, they were unable to provide information on the exact cause of bowel cancer in their study population; more research is needed to understand their findings. Furthermore, this study included mostly white females and additional work is needed to explore this link in men and other ethnic groups.

What Does This Research Mean for the Public?

This research provides further evidence of the negative impact that high levels of SSB consumption may have on the public’s health and highlights the need for the public to reduce their SSB consumption.

More Information

For more detailed information on this study, you can read the full research paper here.

You can also find general information about bowel cancer on Bowel Cancer UK’s website

By admin
coronavirus
COVID-19
May 7, 2021

We Recieve A Grant from the Commonwealth Foundation

We are delighted to have received a grant from the Commonwealth Foundation to explore the impact of the pandemic on people living with NCDs.

By admin
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Podcasts
April 30, 2021

Sweet Talk E1: Regional Approaches to Tackling NCDs in the Caribbean

Thursday 29th April 2021

Welcome back to our podcast.  After a long break, we’re back today with our new series Sweet Talk which is part of our new campaign, You’re Sweet Enough. Through this campaign we aim to promote healthy drinking by encouraging the public to drink more water and fewer sweet drinks.

Our series, Sweet Talk, will feature informative and interactive interviews with various guests who share views on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and discuss approaches to improving the health and wellbeing of our communities through healthy drinking and eating practices.

By admin
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Women's Health
April 4, 2021

Caribbean Region Unites in the War Against Endometriosis

Trudy Christian

President of the Dominica PCOS Association

March is designated as “Endometriosis Awareness Month.” Endometriosis is a serious medical disorder which affects women of any age. It occurs when tissue resembling the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows outside of the uterus, on organs and structures both in the pelvic region (ex. ovaries)  and outside of the pelvic region (ex. lungs). This tissue behaves just like endometrial tissue would and responds to monthly fluctuations in hormones during the menstrual cycle, building up and attempting to shed but with no exit path. The condition often causes debilitating pain, heavy and painful menstrual periods and mental health distress. Organizations across the Caribbean region who have taken up the mantle in advocating for greater awareness of women’s health issues joined their voices on the evening of March 31st 2021 to shine a much needed light on endometriosis and the current needs of the region in that regard.

The regional collaborative effort manifested itself in the form of a webinar, with presentations on different aspects of endometriosis and its management from each women’s health advocate. The panellists touched on the symptoms of endometriosis and barriers which may exist to diagnosis and treatment. Some of the focus of the discussion was on the mental health implications of endometriosis and how patients can self-advocate and empower themselves when facing the disease. The essential nature of early intervention and the need to approach endometriosis with a multidisciplinary approach was also highlighted. 

Trudy Christian, founder of the Dominica PCOS Association moderated the panel and presentations were made by Abi Begho, founder of Lake Health and Wellbeing in St. Kitts, Julia Mandeville, co-founder of the Barbados Association of Endometriosis and PCOS, Odelia Thomas, founder of She is Lotus of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Rovin Fevrier, founder of the St. Lucia Endometriosis, PCOS and Adenomyosis Support Group and Abeesha Toussaint, founder of the Trinidad & Tobago Endometriosis Association. Sandrina Davis of Jamaica, who is the Country Director of International Samaritan, shared her lived experience with endometriosis with the audience. She gave the story of her journey with the dreadful disease and ended with a message of hope and empathy. 

The virtual event was an immense success, receiving positive feedback and healthy interaction from those who were in attendance. Several women voiced their concerns over aspects of handling endometriosis such as the availability of specialists for quality interventions, the impact of diet on the condition and the options as it relates to fertility. The panellists hope to continue in their quest of regional communication and collaboration in dealing with women’s health concerns. In minimal resource settings of individual Caribbean islands, it was wholeheartedly agreed upon that collaboration is the best way forward. One region with sisters united in advocacy, awareness and focus. Endometriosis and other female pelvic disorders should be scared. 

If you missed this event, you can watch a recording of the session below. 

By admin