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Protect Us

Our #ProtectUs Campaign
  • Protect Us!

    Watch the video about everyone has a heart and what we can do to make a difference at schools and for our children. 

    Protect Us!

    About #ProtectUs! Campaign

    Barbados is facing a serious public health challenge where 31% of children are overweight/ obese. This increases their risk of developing life-threatening noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and types of cancers as adults. The 2023 Barbados National School Nutrition Policy was implemented to create a healthier school environment, removing unhealthy food and drinks from schools. However, marketing activities promoting these unhealthy products continue in schools, undermining the policy’s progress.  The “Protect Us!” campaign is calling on policymakers to take action and enforce restrictions on the marketing of unhealthy food and drinks to children in schools.  It questions the presence of marketing activities amidst the removal of unhealthy food and drinks, while highlighting that the school nutrition policy restricts marketing activities in and around schools. Stronger enforcement is essential to protect children from long term exposure to marketing, which influences their food preferences and consumption patterns into adulthood.  The campaign was launched with key partners:  The Healthy Caribbean Coalition, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Caribbean Institute for Health Research (CAIHR), and the Barbados Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition. It will reach audiences through broadcast, print, and digital media.  Join us in advocating for a healthier future for Barbados’ children! Share campaign messages on social media using the hashtags #StopUnhealthyMarketing #ProtectOurChildren #HealthySchools #RightToKnow #HealthyChoices #HealthBarbados. Like, comment, share, and repost content from our official Instagram and Facebook pages: @hsfbarbados.

    Following Cabinet’s approval of the School Nutrition Policy, the “Out of Our Schools” campaign aims to build support for the Policy; to continue the call for the strong implementation and monitoring of the policy and to increase public knowledge about the health harms of excess consumption of foods high in sodium, fats, and sugar. It also intends to support policy makers in the removal of unhealthy foods and beverages from schools with the support of parents and guardians. To see suggested options for snacks and drinks, click the links below: Recommended Snack List Recommended Drink List The Out Of Our Schools campaign is being launched in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Healthy Caribbean Coalition (HCC), Caribbean Institute for Health Research (CAIHR), and other partners. Click the link: Learn More...

    Learn more about our campaign