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Robyn Daly, Nutritionist, Technical Advisor for Nutrition
"The Ministry of Health has different units represented today so we have the nutrition unit promoting healthy eating, we also have the Vector control unit here as you know we have a dengue outbreak ongoing so they are here to also give educational tips in terms of prevention for dengue. We have public health out here as well the public health department focuses on food safety, sanitation, and handwashing and we also have NDAC NDAC is out here The National Drug abuse Council looking at drug prevention for youths. We also have testing services our nurses here for those who want to test their blood pressure, their blood sugar, to do their weigh as well Body Mass Index having a healthy weight is important."

"We are promoting reducing risk factors, so having a balanced diet trying to stay away from foods that are unhealthy such as foods high in fat, sugar or salt, drink more water, you see how hot these days are so we are promoting water instead of sugary beverages and also to try to include fruits so we're giving away fruits as well so you'll see mostly healthy foods around at this expo."

Cherisse Halsall reporting
One major risk factor in the Non-communicable diseases is obesity and it's on the rise in children.

Vanessa Jenkins Young, President, Belize Diabetes Association of New York
"I believe it was 1 in 3 yes Dr. Babb said it 1 in 3 in the Caribbean are obese or overweight and we're talking children so that means that their gonna grow up to be adults and if your starting your life already obese imagine all the complications and ills the health problems that you will have as you continue that course. So it's very important to eat right exercise everything is about moderation."

"We really want to think about all the other illnesses as well besides just diabetes , heart disease the non-communicable diseases like heart disease and hypertension are really as important and heir really all connected and everybody really should start thinking about how we can live longer healthier lives. It's not just if you have something you want to prevent something from happening."

ACC's students also got the opportunity to learn about the ongoing Dengue outbreak and received some lesser known tips to help protect themselves.

Lionel Dennison, Information Assistant, Central Health Region
"Vector control staff we're attached with the public health department so we move as a unit and dengue is on the rise so it's very important for us to be out here spreading dengue awareness and with education we believe that we can minimize the number of dengue outbreaks as long as people know what to do and how to prevent themselves from getting dengue. Avoid dark clothing in the early mornings and late in the evening. Avoid dark clothing as much as possible because mosquitoes are attracted to these things."

"If you have stagnant water what we advise people to do is if you can't get rid of it you can put oil in it. What oil does it stifles the larva for the mosquitoes and then hence the reason you have less mosquito breeding."

In addition to learning moderation when it comes to food and how to take care of the body students also received information on recreational drugs and the effects they may inflict on health and wellness.

Susan Gilharry, District Coordinator, National Drug abuse Council
"Today we're doing public awareness and what we're basically doing is providing information on the drug facts about different types of drugs and the different services that we offer at the NDAC."

"Two main prevalent drugs would be alcohol and Marijuana which Marijuana would be the most omnipresent drug at the moment so that is the reason why we mainly focus on marijuana and alcohol and tobacco as well to provide information and let the children, youths get the facts about drugs."

"Marijuana affects the short term memory which eventually, depending on how often the person use, how much the person use, eventually it can affect the person permanently. Marijuana can also affect the lungs. Any smoke, foreign substance that is taken into the body can affect the lungs in that way as well - mainly with the brain and with the lungs in that aspect. However, people who smoke marijuana sometimes also smoke tobbaco as well which doubles the risk of affecting the lungs."

The ministries hope that bringing awareness of wellness practices to young people will encourage them to start to maintain a healthy lifestyle while avoiding the major pitfalls that can lead to poor health.