FRANCIS CHIPALO writes
@SunZambia
PHYSICAL activity and a healthy eating lifestyle are key to attaining a long and healthy life, especially those involved in sporting activities, Health Minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya has said.
Chilufya said people should make it a personal decision to start eating nutrient dense foods and balancing energy intake with the necessary physical activity to maintain a healthy weight which was essential at all stages of life.
“There is need to acknowledge the fact that a lot of premature deaths in our communities are largely preventable,
“Diet is vitally important to all aspects of our health, but it’s smart to pay a little extra attention to your heart. A meal of potatoes, liver and vegetables for a healthy heart,” wrote Dr Chilufya on his official facebook page monitored by the Sun sports on Saturday.
“A troubled heart has a ripple effect on the wellbeing of your entire body. Heart disease is also often linked to other complaints like high blood pressure, endocarditis and coronary artery disease,” he said.
Chilufya said that to head off a heart disease before it could take hold, people should evaluate their diet and make some better choices.
And Chilufya said President Edgar Lungu has, for a commendable reason, taken up an ambassadorial role in the fight against non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through promotion of physical activity.
President Lungu last year launched a ‘keep fit initiative’ and has been encouraging citizens to engage in physical activity to live health lifestyles and avoid having NCDs.
The President has of late been seen taking part in physical activity with cabinet ministers as well as citizens from both government and private institutions.
Chilufya recently echoed President Lungu’s call on citizens to take part in physical activity regardless of one’s age.