The Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs officially opened a national multisectoral workshop aimed at strengthening nutrition standards for all foods provided and sold in schools and early childhood services across Antigua and Barbuda.
Delivering remarks at the opening ceremony, Minister Sir Molwyn Joseph emphasized that the initiative comes at a critical time, as the Caribbean continues to face alarming levels of childhood overweight and obesity—now affecting one in every three children.
“The rising rates of childhood obesity place our nation’s future at risk,” the Minister said. “Unhealthy diets and poor food environments continue to drive this epidemic. Today’s initiative is essential as we work to safeguard the health and well-being of our young people.”
The workshop is guided by the CARPHA/PAHO Technical Recommendations for the Development of Nutrition Standards for Caribbean Schools, a comprehensive, evidence-based framework designed to promote healthier school food environments. These recommendations aim to reduce the availability of unhealthy foods, increase access to nutritious options, and support improved dietary habits among school-aged children.
“Our goal is clear,” the Minister noted. “We must strengthen and implement national nutrition standards to ensure that every school in Antigua and Barbuda becomes a place that supports healthy growth, strong minds, and bright futures.”
Participants will receive training in applying the technical recommendations, improving food safety practices, planning and preparing healthier meals, and initiating the development of national nutrition standards through a multisectoral approach.
Also in attendance were Director of Education, Mr. Clare Browne, and Ms. Abigail Caleb, Technical Officer for Food Security at CARPHA, both of whom expressed their support for the initiative and underscored the importance of collaborative action to address childhood nutrition challenges.
The Ministry extended its gratitude to CARPHA and PAHO for their continued partnership in strengthening public health capacities across the region.
The workshop forms part of Antigua and Barbuda’s ongoing efforts to reduce noncommunicable diseases and end all forms of malnutrition by 2030, in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals.
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