• Over 60% of all deaths are due to (4) major CNCDs: cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and strokes. 
• Within the Caribbean region, Trinidad and Tobago has the highest overall percentage of deaths due to CNCDs
• Heart disease is the No 1 cause of death in Trinidad and Tobago accounting for 25% of all deaths
• The diabetes prevalence rate among adults is approximately 12% - 13%
• A high proportion of the population already have the risk factors for developing chronic diseases, including diabetes:
• Overweight and obesity:
• More than ½ the population (55.5%) 15 years and over are overweight or obese
• A quarter (25%) of school aged children (5 – 18yrs) are overweight or obese
• Over 40% of the population do not get sufficient physical exercise weekly
• 90.8% eat less than the recommended 5 servings of fruit and vegetable daily
• 65% of persons 45 – 64 have 3 or more risk factors for CNCDs
• 50% of persons 24 – 64 have 3 or more risk factors for CNCDs
• There has been the emergence of the CNCD's in our children and youth populations
  
  * Source: Ministry of Health 2011 National Risk factor Survey - STEPS
  

The Honourable Dr Fuad Khan Minister of Health delivered the feature address and said “If I told you that eating something could kill you, would you eat it? More importantly, what would you like me, as the Minister of Health to do, if I found out that presently, someone is buying something that would undoubtedly cause their death? Would you want me to put a stop to it? You see, I stand here, not just as the Minister of Health, but as a citizen just like you, who has to make a change. Actually, we are talking about more than a change; We are talking about a revolution.  This is how the “Fight the Fat” campaign was born.  I need Trinidad and Tobago to to join us in this fight”.

The “Fight The Fat – T&T Wellness Revolution” is a wellness programme targeting the national population from primary-school aged children to mature adults.  It will be implemented in conjunction with the Regional Health Authorities, other Ministries, private sector, NGOs and civil society, and has the objectives:

• To increase the level of physical activity in the national population
• To empower citizens to achieve a healthy weight

The first phase runs from November 2011 to February 2012 and will include the following components:

• Public launch of programme on November 5th 2011
• Launch of a National Healthy Recipes Competition – “Home Cook….Best Food” - using local ingredients
• Launch of National Primary School Nutrition Quiz
• Launch of a Secondary School / Youth Campaign
• Rollout of a Wellness Caravan across the national community to provide free health screenings, and to promote healthy eating and physical activity in a fun-filled environment geared toward the whole family
• A social marketing campaign to promote and support the desired behaviours

Members of the public who attended the launch of “Fight The Fat – T&T Wellness Revolution” on November 5th 2011 enjoyed FREE Screening Checks for Weight and Height Measurement / Body Mass Index (BMI) Calculation, Blood Glucose/Sugar, Cholesterol, Blood Pressure, and Nutritional Education/Displays.  There were also lots of giveaways, live performances by Shurwayne Winchester, Blaxx, Swappy, Rikki Jai and others, as well as displays by Extreme Breakers, Tribe Mas band and a Zumba and aerobics demonstration.