Obesity increases lifestyle diseases
NELSON KAIRI
OUR cultural value system is somehow tangled in the belief that a person who is overweight or obese is rich and should be respected, obeyed and seen as a leader figure in our local communities, says Andrew Pus.
Mr Pus conducted a survey on Obesity in Port Moresby as part of his graduate requirement.
He conducted the research from 2013 to 2015 and it was published in November 2016.
He said that such is the confusion that contributes to the increase of obesity and its added effects on the development of lifestyle diseases such as high blood pressure and diabetes amongst others.
High blood pressure and diabetes are two of the most familiar types of lifestyle diseases that have claimed the lives of many Papua New Guineans; but the good news is that it is preventable.
According to the study, the contributing factors of obesity in Papua New Guinea is less physical exercise, unhealthy diets, lifestyle, cultural value system, low education and the social system.
The survey shows that the Government needs to do more as its strategies and initiatives are to educate and motivate people on the dangers of being overweight.
It suggests that effective coordination should be developed between stakeholders to provide quality education and awareness for the prevention of obesity and its effects on lifestyle diseases.
The common cause of obesity is the excessive intake of food coupled with a lack of physical activity. Some people are obese as a result of genetic vulnerability, which means that they have inherited the medical condition.
Obesity is no longer considered a medical condition that is confined to developed countries because it is now a serious problem in developing countries like PNG.
The study recommends that further surveys should be conducted in other parts of the country, particularly in rural areas and to increase health awareness by engaging schools and churches.
The findings strongly suggests that special attention should be given to the increasing prevalence of obesity in developing countries and the development of preventive measures to reduce the rate of obesity in PNG.
However, the most important factor that would help minimise the health condition is that more awareness should be carried out with clear messages that obesity poses health risks and it can lead to death.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that globally over 223 million children are currently obese and this is expected to increase to about 268 million by 2025.
Tkatchenko assist women’s group
BY KILA NAO
Moresby South MP and Sports and APEC Minister Justin Tkatchenko and Joyce Bay Gulf women’s association president Joyce Ikavape holding the K50, 000 cheque.
TWO women’s groups from the Moresby-South electorate received separate cheques from the Sports and APEC Minister, Justin Tkatchenko over the weekend in the National Capital District.
This follows a pledge by the minister to support women’s groups in Moresby-South to roll out their programs and activities.
The Joyce Bay Gulf women’s association received K50, 000 while the Kongo women’s association at Vadavada settlement were the beneficiaries of K20, 000.
Joyce Bay Gulf women’s association president, Joyce Ikavape thanked Tkatchenko for keeping his commitment.
“The association has 30 ethnics groups that make up a membership of more than 2,000 and the executives have tried their best to break the barriers and make things happen.
Ms Ikavape said the women have struggled for a very time in terms, of trying to meet the needs and welfare of their individual families.
Tkatchenko said he was happy to do the long awaited presentation, he promised last year.
“I am very happy that the Gulf women are very well organised and I look forward to working with you to roll out your programs and activities for the benefit of the women,” he said.
The Kongo (Simbu) women’s association was grateful for the assistance of K20,000 to promote the women’s economic programs and activities. The funding was from the minister’s District Service Improvement Program (DSIP).
Teachers to petition over leave entitlements
BY LEIAO GEREGA
TEACHERS in the Western Province may not resume classes this year for the first term if there is no positive response on their leave entitlements.
“If the answer is negative we will not teach for the first term, the education department must sort us out or the students will also suffer,” a representative of those affected told Post Courier.
With most spending Christmas and New Year stranded in the expensive town of Kiunga enquiring after their overdue leave payments for the teachers living in the remote areas of Western province have said enough is enough.
“We will hand over our petition by Wednesday to the district administrator and if nothing is done, we will all stop classes this is for the benefit of all the teachers who have faced similar short falls in their career,” he added.
Frustrated over the continuous problem they are now appealing to the PNG teachers Association, the teaching Service Commission, the Department of Education and the Secretary of Education to intervene and do something to address their problem.
“Although the Teaching Commission Act directs for teachers to be paid entitlements every two years the education division in North Fly continues to fail teachers.”
“Without the leave entitlements teachers who wanted to travel back to their home provinces were not able to travel and they were forced to sleep anywhere they can while awaiting response.”
He said the situation has angered teachers and they have gathered last week to voice their frustration.
“The result has always been negative and most teachers have given up or moved out of the Province, its time the PNGTA do something and the government becomes aware of problems we are facing”.