Voices Magazine Vol2 Issue 5-6

VOICES Bi-Monthly Magazine of the University of Technology, Jamaica | October - December 2018 10 P rofessor Fitzroy Henry, Professor of Public Health Nutrition, College of Health Sciences, University of Technology, Jamaica delivered an engaging and eye-opening presentation on “The Future of the Food-Health Nexus on Caribbean Development,” on October 25, 2018 at the Papine Campus. His lecture was presented as part of the University’s 60th Anniversary Distinguished Public Lecture series. Professor Henry looked at the challenges with the food-health nexus in the Caribbean and posited new approaches and strategies needed to fight the challenge of the high prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and obesity. He reported that Obesity/overweight rates among the Jamaican adult population have been trending upwards over the last 17 years moving from 45% in the year 2000 to a staggering 60% recorded in 2016 making it the most significant underlying cause of death in the Caribbean. While acknowledging other lifestyle risk factors associated with NCDs such as pollution, alcohol and occupational hazards, the Public Health Professor cited further alarming data that underscores the impact of the health situation on Jamaica’s development. Sharing some of the lessons learnt from food and health in the Caribbean, Professor Henry noted that we have enough food supply which is above the average requirement for the population. Jamaica and the Caribbean have also seen a reduction in energy-protein malnutrition. In contrast, he highlighted that although we have sufficient food, there is a nutritional imbalance of the foods available to us which has caused a rapid increase in obesity and chronic diseases. Professor Henry argued that substantial reductions are more likely to come from structural and policy related changes to the food environment rather than from medical interventions. “The scientific evidence is showing us that we can postpone so many of these deaths from chronic diseases and people can live more productive and health lives,” he said, emphasizing that the opportunity lies in food and nutrition. The Lecture was chaired by Professor Stephen Vasciannie, President, UTech, Jamaica who lauded Professor Henry as a strong advocate for public health and nutrition in Jamaica and the region. Professor Winston Davidson, Head, School of Public Health and Health Technology who introduced Professor Henry pointed to his special career as a teacher which he began in his native Guyana and which he continues here in his adopted home, Jamaica. He shared on his extensive research and publications as well his membership on several boards and advisory bodies which include the Advisory Body of the Jamaica Tertiary Education Commission, the Research and Policy Sub Committee as well as on national experts panels on nutrition and chronic diseases. In her vote of thanks, Dr. Janet Campbell-Shelly, Dean, College of Health Sciences thanked Professor Henry for a very informative lecture, noting that it serves as a continuation of his advocacy for health and nutritional wellbeing in Jamaica and the Caribbean. Dr. Shelly said that the maxim, “we are what we eat,” serves as an important reminder of the close relationship between what we eat and our health status. The Food-Health Nexus on Caribbean Development Professor Fitzroy Henry, Professor of Public Health Nutrition, College of Health Sciences, University of Technology, Jamaica makes a point during the University’s 60th Anniversary Public Lecture on “The Future of the Food-Health Nexus on Caribbean Development,” held on T October 25, 2018 at the Papine Campus.