Health Promotion - Nigerians have been told to take full responsibility for their health by investing time and energy in health promotion activities with a view to ensuring optimal wellness. The admonition which came prior to the UN high-level meeting on non-communicable disease prevention and control, identified the need for the nation to adopt a concise, action-oriented outcome document that will shape the global agenda for generations to come.

In an interview with Good Health Weekly during its road show in Lagos to advocate for health promotion, wellness and quality of life as part of exercises to mark the World Physiotherapy Day,

Chairman, Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP), Lagos State chapter, Mrs. Benedicta Njokanma noted that life style diseases such diabetes, hypertension etc, could be prevented through healthy living.

Njokanma who said this year's theme was "Movement for Health" said it was re-echoing the impact of lifestyle diseases that are of global concern.

Advocating the importance of exercise and health promotion, she said: "Movement and exercise are fundamental to leading a healthy, happy life-whatever age you may be.

Prevention is possible. Your health and wellness is worth it. To have optimal wellness, you have to moderate what you eat and exercise optimally. You need an optimal level of exercises for wellness.

The optimal level will ensure that your cardiovascular wellbeing is taken care of and you can go about and perform your daily duties and prevent lifestyle diseases like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension."

On the significance of the Road Show, Njokanma explained that the NSP advocates for movement for health in line with the paradigm shift to preventive medicine as it is obtainable globally.

She lamented the increasing rate of obesity among Nigerians and advised Lagosians to develop the healthy habit of walking and engaging themselves in exercises they personally enjoy.

Chioma Obinna

Vanguard/20/09/2011