Majority of Fiji’s population residing in urban areas are not making the right food choices that can help minimize the risk of having diabetes.
This was highlighted by Diabetes Fiji, Chair Dr. Jone Hawea.
He says it’s critical that people put in an effort to look after their health with the increasing number of young people diagnosed with diabetes in the country.
Dr. Hawea says there are many reasons to why people prefer processed food or takeaway, but this should not become a habit.
“People are resorting to cheap unhealthy alternatives so that means that either our healthy food is unavailable, inaccessible or it’s unaffordable. So policymakers need to look at these things to make it available, accessible and affordable, just healthy foods. And allow for healthy behavior to be promoted like exercise. There need to be a lot more parks or exercise places especially for the major populated areas like Suva, Lautoka, Labasa and Nadi.”
Dr Hawea is urging the public to take awareness campaigns on the killer disease seriously and work towards building a healthy diet for themselves.
