HSA slims down by almost 80lbs in fitness challenge

(CNS): Nineteen staff members from the Health Services Authority have collectively lost 79.8 lbs, 28.5 inches in waist circumference and 12.7% of body fat following a workplace wellness programme over the last three months. The 90 day diet and fitness regime -‘Take the Challenge – Be Fit: Stay Healthy’ was about improving the health of those working in the sector and participants earned points for completing exercise logs, achieving stress management goals and accomplishing physical activity goals, as well as losing weight and lowering their body mass index (BMI). The HSA’s CEO, Lizzette Yearwood, said the positive outcome was a good reason to continue the programme.

“The success of our 2014 programme has galvanised us into ensuring we continue,” Yearwood said. “Study after study indicates that chronic non-communicable diseases such as cancer, heart disease, strokes and high blood pressure can be alleviated by maintaining a healthy weight and following a healthy lifestyle. The prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases is also the focus of this year’s Cayman Islands Healthcare Conference this coming November,” she said. 

“We have made it a priority to encourage our own staff to live as healthy a lifestyle as possible and to reduce their risk of developing such diseases. I congratulate our staff for committing to and finishing the programme,” the hospital boss added. 
Ann-Marie Webb came in 1st in the challenge followed by Debbie Harding in 2nd while Joy Merren and Oscar Calidonio tied for 3rd.

Dr Kiran Kumar, Medical Officer of Health, said he was pleased with the results of those who managed to complete the full programme and many did so using the buddy system to keep them motivated, a key strategy for success. Praising the winners he said, they had achieved remarkable results demonstrating that with determination and will-power, a healthy weight and lifestyle can be achieved

“For the group as a whole, their good cholesterol increased, bad cholesterol decreased and their blood pressure went down following the completion of the programme, all positive indicators that they have made an improvement to their health,” he said

The participants who completed the programme saw a combined total of 79.8 lbs reduction in weight that resulted in an impressive overall reduction of 28.5 inches in waist circumference for the group and an overall 12.7% reduction in body fat.

Prizes for the 2014 Be Fit: Stay Health Workplace Wellness programme were sponsored by the following companies, all dedicated to improving health in the workplace: CUC, Vigoro Nursery, The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort, Morritt’s Tortuga Club & Resort and Fosters Food Fair IGA. Alongside the HSA, other authorities and organisations have also followed this programme, which was spearheaded by the Public Health Department.  This includes: Government Information Services, Auditor General’s Office, Shipping Registry, Maritime Authority, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Finance and Deloitte.

For more information about the programme please contact the Public Health programme coordinator Therese Prehay at 244-2632 or please visit www.hsa.ky