Friday, October 13, 2006

A healthy people for a wealthy nation, says GHS

By Ama Achiaa Amankwah

The Ghana Health Service, (GHS) the biggest health care provider in the country, is inculcating in Ghanaians the need to develop healthy living and physical exercises to avoid preventable diseases, such as hypertension and diabetes, which put a drain on the country’s scarce health resources.

According to the Director-General of the GHS, Prof. Agyemang Badu-Akosa, non-communicable diseases such as obesity and hypertension could easily be avoided through healthy eating and physical exercise.

“The drastic reduction in physical exertion has led to many physical, mental and emotional health problems. Compared to active people, inactive people tend to have higher blood pressure, a high risk of strokes and heart attacks, a higher risk of developing certain types of cancers and a higher risk of osteoporosis and high tendency to become obese.”

Prof. Badu-Akosa was speaking at a media briefing on the Ghana Health Service Month in Accra.

He disclosed that work done by an Endocrinologist, Dr. Francis Ofei of the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital identified obesity and hypertension not only as urban phenomena but happening everywhere.

Prof. Akosa noted that moderate physical activity is vital to people’s well being. Yet, he regretted, that Ghanaians remain inactive, in spite of the exposure given to the risks of physical inactivity.

The GHS Month, November 2005, dubbed, “Healthy Life Style – Healthy Living” is an annual programme designed to take stock of the past year’s activities and create public health awareness. Deserving personnel are also rewarded during the awareness week.

Making reference to statistics from the World Heart Federation, Prof. Akosa stated that about 60% to 85% of the world’s population is not physically active enough to gain health benefits, particularly, among girls and women.

“The organisation claims that nearly two thirds of children are insufficiently active for their health. A trend, health experts worldwide view as alarming.”

Thus, he said, the campaign by the GHS to educate and encourage people on the benefits of moderate physical activity as is being done globally.

The health expert debunked claims that people who are not overweight need not engage in any exercise. “Even if you are not overweight, physical exercise is necessary to improve your overall health and help prevent serious diseases, including certain types of cancer. The fact is, many who are slim suffer mental and emotional stress, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and other conditions aggravated by lack of enough exercise.”

He cited a situation where a person does not exercise or engage in any vigorous activity for at least 30 minutes three times a week, not moving from one place to another while engaging in leisure activities, and rarely walking over 100 metres a day, as some of the numerous instances of a sedentary lifestyle.

Prof. Akosa revealed that currently, overweight or obese women outnumber those who are underfed. A situation he said is a leading risk factor for heart diseases and stroke, especially when the weight is carried around the abdomen.
He asserts that ones heart health is at risk not only by the amount of fat, but also where it is located. He said weight and height are indicators of Body Mass Index, (BMI) and hip as well as waist ratio are determinants of health. “People with waist sizes above 40 inches are considered at significant risk of developing heart diseases and stroke.”

Prof. Akosa emphasized that normal BMI must be between 18 and 25, whereas between 26 and 29 is overweight and over 30 is obese. “Hip waist ratio for females must be less than one, thus one’s hip must more than her waist, and maximum of one for males. Waist size is like blood pressure and cholesterol level, therefore we should all be cautious.”

Typical of a health expert, he prescribes at least 30 minutes of brisk walking for adults daily to help reduce risk factors. Adding, that parents are powerful role models for their children and must adopt balanced diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grain products, low fat ad fat free products, among others. In his opinion, all such foods can be obtained locally and are affordable.

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