Barbados to launch School Nutrition Policy; Study finds 32% Teens overweight  

By Sherrica Thompson

Staff Writer

#Barbados, February 15, 2023 – In an effort to encourage positive lifestyle behaviours among its school population, the Barbados government will be rolling out its School Nutrition Policy on Wednesday, February 15.

The policy aims at addressing concerns that have been expressed about the exponential rise of obesity among school-aged children by creating healthy school environments that enhance learning and develop healthy lifelong eating and activity behaviours among students.

The Government Information Service (GIS) of Barbados said, “the policy has been developed as a guide for school administrators, teachers, canteen concessionaires and vendors to plan healthy meals and snacks for students.”

According to local research, some 32 percent of adolescents in the country are overweight, while 14 percent are obese.

The research also confirmed that the situation in Barbados stems from changing dietary habits and sedentary behaviours, noting that once these practices are adopted in the adolescent years, they will continue into adulthood, predisposing persons to non-communicable diseases.

The programme, which was created and approved by Cabinet in May 2022, is expected to be introduced to all schools this academic year 2022-2023 and in a phased approach.