By K. NANCOO-RUSSELL

Freeport News Reporter

krystal@nasguard.com

In an effort to promote healthy lifestyles in the Grand Bahama community, the Shiloh Seventh-Day Adventist Church hosted its fifth annual Health Expo yesterday.

The event, held under the theme "A Holistic Approach to Health," began at 12 p.m. and was open to the public.

Visitors were able to tour the various booths which provided information and activities about nutrition, exercise, water, sun, temperance, air, rest and trust in divine power.

Medical testing of blood sugar and pressure levels and consultations with medical professionals were also available.

During the opening ceremony, President of the North Bahamas Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists, E. Bryan Tinker, commended the church and its pastor Henry Moncur on its efforts in helping to highlight the importance of healthy life-styles.

"I think it is in harmony with what God wants for His people... God is concerned with every area of our lives, mentally, physically spiritually and socially. He wants nothing but the best for us," he said.

Health Ministries Director of the North Bahamas Con-ference of Seventh-Day Ad-ventist Ricardo Bain said the church's expo is providing a great service to the Grand Bahama community.

"I believe that as you continue to do this year after year, you will continue to impact many lives," he said.

"You are a people that are on the cutting edge of health ministries and you must

continue to do so because

the Seventh-Day Adventist church really prides itself on its health program."

Member of Parliament for Eight Mile Rock Verna Grant delivered remarks from the Minister of Health Hubert Minnis, who was unable to attend.

In his statement, Minnis shared statistics which show that countries in the Carib-bean continue to carry the heaviest burden of disability and death from non-communicable diseases in the Americas.

"Chronic, non-communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension, chronic respiratory disease, heart disease and cancer are on the rise and these are due to lifestyle choices.

"Too many residents continue to make poor lifestyle choices that adversely affect their health and the health of their families," Minnis' statement read.

"Undoubtedly, chronic non-communicable diseases can be avoided through the adoption of healthy lifestyles. It is therefore encouraging to see that churches are promoting healthy living among their congregations, and are encouraging them to become more health conscious."

The Ministry of Health has also implemented a holistic approach to helping residents adopt and sustain healthy lifestyles, Minnis noted, and persons are be-coming more knowledgeable about the prevention of chronic diseases.

The Ministry has established programs like the 100-day Challenge, the Passport to Healthy Living, the National Dietary Food Guide Drum and the Healthy Dozen Club, he continued.

"The Ministry's Nutrition Program teaches practices such as eating nutritious foods that are moderate in calories and fat, exercising regularly, avoiding tobacco, drug and alcohol abuse and proper stress management," he said.