The Expo included a variety of health booths offering basic screenings, products and services by invited stakeholders. The Director of Public Health and Wellness and the Deputy Chief Education Officer shared a few remarks at the event.

Dr. Melissa Diaz-Musa, Director, Public Health and Wellness
"Non-communicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and including childhood obesity have become some of our most significant public health issues that we face in Belize. According to data obtained by Global Health Survey, approximately thirty-five percent of adolescents between the ages of thirteen and fifteen years of age were found to be overweight or obese. Belizeans, we face several nutritional challenges, including a high intake of fatty and friend foods, high intake of sugary and salty foods, unbalanced diets, low fruit and vegetable consumption and limited physical activity. These have all contributed to the growing number of persons developing NCDs and with early intervention to address these risk factors, the high rate of NCDs can be lower in our population and we must really and truly believe that and know that that is true. Prevention truly is better than cure and preventative measures must be promoted by all of us, each individual, each parent in the room, our schools, teachers, communities, civil society and the wider population for us to see and feel a true difference in our country."

"Teaching our children and young people at a very early age about healthy habits and healthy eating can make a significant difference."

Cecilia Smith, Deputy Chief Education Officer, Ministry of Education
"And this what makes the back to school expo so special. As the day unfolds, you will find that the expo will serve as a beacon of awareness. It will offer practical tips and interactive and engaging discourse and accessible resources to inspire positive lifestyle changes. As we interact and engage, we will find yet another opportunity to equip ourselves with the tools that will help us to make the healthier choices. not just for ourselves, but for generations to come just as a single pebble creates a ripple across a river, our informed decisions can create a ripple effect to improve the health of our nation and in particular a brighter Belmopan."