Photos: Victor Scott Students ‘Move More’

This morning [May 23] Minister of Health Zane DeSilva and Education Minister Dame Jennifer Smith kicked off the “Move More Bermuda” campaign at the Victor Scott school. Both Ministers gave brief speeches before the students demonstrated their active habits. Minister DeSilva also participated in the hula hooping, and despite his best efforts, the Victor Scott students outclassed the Minister with their hula hooping skills.

In addition to today’s launch of the ‘Move More Campaign’ at the Victor Scott school, the Department of Health showcase health related activities at this weeks Harbour Nights, with Zumba, tai chi, pilates and more on display.

The aim of the campaign is to promote the message that physical activity is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle. In combination with healthy eating, it can help prevent a range of chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and stroke, which are the three leading causes of death. Physical activity helps control weight, builds lean muscle, reduces fat, promotes strong bone, muscle and joint development, and decreases the risk of obesity.

Minister DeSilva’s full remarks are below:

Good Morning,

It is a pleasure to be here at Victor Scott Primary School this morning to launch the Department of Health’s Move More Bermuda campaign.

However, before we begin, let me take a moment to acknowledge and thank the Minister of Education, the Hon. Dame Jennifer Smith.

Dame Jennifer, thank you for taking the time to join us today and also for letting us use Victor Scott Primary School to launch Move More Bermuda. The Move More Bermuda campaign’s aim is to promote the importance of incorporating physical activity into our lifestyles.

The benefits of physical activity are numerous and undeniable as it is an essential component of maintaining good physical and mental health.

In combination with healthy eating, it can help prevent a range of chronic diseases, including heart disease and stroke – which are leading causes of death on the island.

Physical activity (especially when combined with healthy eating) helps control weight, builds lean muscle, reduces fat, promotes strong bones, aids in muscle and joint development and decreases the risk of obesity.

The recently released report “Health in Review” found that 24 per cent of Bermudian adults are considered obese while 19 per cent of young Bermudians (aged 11 to 18) are considered overweight or obese.

It is vital that we halt, and indeed reverse, this growing trend of overweight and obese citizens in Bermuda.

The benefits of consuming a healthy diet and engaging in moderate levels of physical activity on a regular basis include substantial reduction in the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and some cancers.

The costs of managing common, non-communicable diseases that are associated with physical inactivity account for a significant proportion of spending on healthcare. Therefore, promoting physical activity can be a highly effective and sustainable public health intervention.

In Bermuda, 29% of adults reported doing vigorous physical activity three times per week and 29% of adolescents reported doing vigorous physical activity five times per week.

This is not good enough.

We want to increase the proportion of adults and children who are physically active, and there are a variety of ways we can achieve this. Engaging in physical activity as a family can be a fun way to get everyone moving.

Studies have shown that those who feel supported by friends and families to become more active or are surrounded by others interested in physical activity are more likely to participate.

We should all be physically active each day; for a total of 60 minutes for children and 30 minutes for adults.

In addition to today’s launch, the Department of Health will feature various activities at Harbour Night on Wednesday May 25th to encourage our community to become physically active.

Activities will include Zumba, Line Dancing, Tai Chi, Pilates, TRX and many more.
The public is invited to join us for a night of fun activities that will be sure to get you moving!

With that, I’d like to again thank Dame Jennifer Smith and invite her to say a few words.

Thank You.

Dame Jennifer’s full remarks are below:

Good Morning,

Minster DeSilva, Principal Mrs. Williams, teachers, students, friends.

It is indeed a pleasure to be here at Victor Scott Primary School this morning to launch the Department of Health’s Move More Bermuda campaign.

Minister DeSilva is indeed leading by example in promoting a healthy Bermuda.

Students, do you know that there was a time in Bermuda when there were no cars or buses? People had to walk, or ride a pedal bike or take a boat; and if you were really lucky – horse and buggy. Bermuda even had a train once!

No one had to encourage people to move then! Now, with the luxury of driving door to door we are not getting the exercise our bodies need.

So Minister DeSilva and his staff have come to encourage us all to be more active. Everyone from the youngest to the most senior, needs to take care of their health. Students, especially, with all of the choices they face, need to learn about the advantages of living a healthy lifestyle.

There have been several studies that show the critical link between physical education and academics. A healthy body leads to a healthy mind – which leads to successful learning.
The Ministry of Education will continue to do its part to ensure that exercise is a part of our curriculum.

But I encourage you students to also participate in healthy activities after school and on weekends. Go for a walk; ride a bike ride, play a sport like cricket, softball or netball, and, since tomorrow is May 24th, go swimming!

After today, I hope to see you all moving more!

Thank you once again to Minister DeSilva and the Ministry of Health for their work in promoting healthy lifestyles..

#BermudianChildren #Fitness #Health

Category: All, Community, Photos