Surmounting the hurdles of physical engagements

AS WE ARE INTO the early stages of the 20242025 academic year, here in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), things have been off to a rocky commencement.

The passage of Hurricane Beryl on July 1, put the country into a tail spin, as displacement and destruction caused by the forces of the adverse weather system, disrupted the lives of Vincentians both physically as well as mentally.

Then popped up the threats of the dengue fever, as precautions kicked in to stem the impact of the mosquito borne disease. Despite these challenges, the show must go on, and the business of country and the various machineries, have to go on as usual.

Hopefully, the powers that be will make the concerted effort to have our student population heavily engaged in physical activities.

This, as we continue to harp on the need to have the entire population moving, yet that notion stops at talk with little follow up action.

Unfortunately, the spewing of the glowed attributes of physical engagements, mainly pops up when there is an event relative to the topic.

The saying that “a healthy nation is a wealthy nation” comes over fleetingly and in the moment, as no serious intentions and executions back up the mouthing.

Therefore, the best way to have that engrained in the psyche of our people is at the school level.

Yes, Physical Education is listed on the respective schools’ time table; however, this, in some cases is merely cosmetic and fulfilling the mandate that as a subject, it must be listed.

Such has been the case that many schools, likewise the students, are not in tune with the realities that are facing us, hence, it comes as a by the way happening, far less, tailored with a desired, measurable outcome.

So, partake in “Physical Education”, in most schools, as a choice, as it lacks importance.

However, we have to start taking stock, as the diet and the changes in socialization patterns become entrenched among the youth population, less and less physical activities are part and parcel of their daily chores.

Also critical to the overall unfolding of the matrices of our ways to culturing our youths is the advancements in public and private transport.

Therefore, whilst not an alarming rate, St Vincent and the Grenadines still suffers from Juvenile diabetes and obesity, with the main cause, little physical taskings.

Directly linked and possible contributing factors, are the many misgivings and misconceptions accrued by parents.

It will be often heard that parents will prefer if their children/ wards do not “sweat”, as makes them “uncomfortable”.

That hurdle must be surmounted by constant public education from both the education and health sectors.

Beyond our children and adolescents, there was to be that concerted effort to ramp up the advocacy needed to promote the benefits of sports and physical activity.

Promoting sports and physical activity within schools and communities offers a promising intervention. Firstly, passionate advocacy is needed to promote the benefits of sports and physical movements.

Raising that awareness of the importance of physical exercise, can increase participation rates across all demographics, including children, adolescents, and adults.

Not to be divorced from the wider universal set, is community involvement as the physical pursuits are for all.

As proffered before, the school system has to be the building blocks for that process, starting with the preschools. But the schools should not be the end all and be all, as government policies have to be crafted to promote healthy living among the Vincentian population.

The buy-in is needed now more than ever, as mentally, we are not in a good place, with the evidence that our people are fast becoming short fused.

From here on in, it should be ready, set, go, as St Vincent and the Grenadines chases down the race towards a healthy population with physical activities, literacy and education being the starting blocks.