Jamaicans Urged to Decide to Fitness Way of life – Jamaica Data Service

State Minister within the Ministry of National Security and Peace, Hon. Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, is looking on Jamaicans to make use of the beginning of the brand new yr to decide to a life-style of health, incorporating each day train and nutritious diet.

“I believe fitness should be a lifestyle and we should all live it daily for it not to be a fad,” she stated, whereas addressing the launch of FitFest Party & Expo 2026, at The Jamaica Pegasus resort in New Kingston on Thursday (January 15).

Mrs. Cuthbert-Flynn stated that there are various advantages to be derived from practising a health life-style, noting that it helps bodily and psychological well-being, which might cut back aggression and violence within the society.

She stated that participating in each day bodily exercise and consuming wholesome meals are additionally key in decreasing the prevalence of non-communicable illnesses (NCDs) among the many inhabitants, which trigger untimely deaths.

“We’re actually dying faster with non-communicable diseases – hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and there are many reasons for that,” she identified.

“Something also frightening is strokes happening in Jamaica. Approximately 7,000 Jamaicans are affected with a stroke every year and of that 7,000, over 2,000 die. Again, it goes back to our lifestyle,” Mrs. Cuthbert-Flynn stated.

She additional urged Jamaicans to get their government profiles executed, and never simply do blood stress checks.

“You have to make sure you are taking care of yourself,” she stated.

FitFest Party & Expo 2026 will likely be held on January 31 on the National Water Commission (NWC) Sports Club in Mona, St. Andrew.

Organised by BodyByKurt Fitness, the free household occasion is geared toward constructing a tradition of health to fight NCDs.

It options high-energy group courses like aerobics, dancehall, soca, impediment programs, reside performances, wellness screenings, and well being distributors, designed to make health accessible, enjoyable, and community-focused for all ages.

Children’s Advocate, Diahann Gordon Harrison, in endorsing the FitFest, stated she is happy that it’ll incorporate a kiddies village.

She famous that kids have a proper to play, leisure and leisure, in step with Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

“We are pleased that FitFest has dedicated a space for children and understands the importance of play, but equally significant for us is that it enables the adults – the parents, the grandmothers, the aunties to come and get fit while knowing that their children are properly entertained, properly occupied and properly supervised,” Mrs. Gordon Harrison stated.

‘For his half, conceptualiser of FitFest, Kurt Dunn, famous that he began the initiative in March 2018 with a easy dream of constructing Jamaicans fall in love with health.

“Today, in 2026, FitFest has grown from a workout session into the island’s premier fitness movement, but as we grow our why remains pretty much the same. The mission of FitFest surrounds non-communicable diseases, which continue to rise across our nation. Health is no longer a personal choice but a national priority, and FitFest is our response to that national challenge,” he stated.

“We are not just hosting an event. We are fostering a culture,” Mr. Dunn added.