Ministry Empowers Youth to Beat Diabetes
In observance of World Diabetes Day, the Ministry of Health and Social Development launched a youth initiative to encourage healthy lifestyles and prevent Type 2 diabetes before it starts. The campaign featured a student video competition won by Tiffany Faulkner of the Claudia Creque Educational Centre on Anegada. Health officials stressed that instilling balanced nutrition and physical activity during childhood is vital for the long-term well-being of the Virgin Islands.
As part of activities marking World Diabetes Day on November 14, the Ministry of Health and Social Development is actively engaging the territory's youth to prevent diabetes early in life. This year's global theme, "Diabetes During the Life Stages," focuses on how diabetes impacts individuals across every phase of life, reinforcing the critical need to build healthy routines from childhood to ensure lifelong wellness.
To promote this message locally, the Ministry launched the "Beat Diabetes Before It Starts" video competition. The initiative invited young people across the Virgin Islands to create one-minute videos demonstrating how they stay active, choose nutritious foods, and establish sustainable habits that help reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
Following the submissions, the Ministry announced Tiffany Faulkner of the Claudia Creque Educational Centre as the winner of this year's competition. For her creative entry, Faulkner will receive a $150 voucher from Everything Organic, sponsored by the Unite BVI Foundation. Health officials noted that her video captured the essence of the campaign by showing how simple, everyday choices made during youth can secure a lifetime of good health.
Public Health Officer Renee Leonard underscored that Type 2 diabetes is largely preventable through proactive lifestyle choices. Key preventive measures include eating a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical exercise, maintaining a healthy body weight, and avoiding tobacco use.
According to Leonard, effective prevention must begin well before individuals reach adulthood. She explained that by providing children with the right knowledge and promoting balanced nutrition and active living, the community is not only preventing disease but also fostering a generation that genuinely values wellness.
She added that every healthy habit a child adopts today serves as a lasting investment in a stronger and healthier future for the entire territory. The Ministry of Health and Social Development reaffirmed its commitment to advancing public wellness across the Virgin Islands through targeted policies, community programmes, and strategic partnerships designed to build a healthy and resilient society.
Primary source: BVI Government