Jesus Warned that over-eating (“surfeiting”) and drinking to excess can “overcharge” us or “weigh us down” (Luke 21:34 NIV). No doubt he meant this mainly in a spiritual sense, dulling our zeal. But it is also true in a very literal sense. A recent World Health Organisation report stresses that in the Caribbean “diseases due to lifestyle and uncontrolled personal indulgence” have risen dramatically in recent years. Diseases due to promiscuous sexual activity show the greatest increase, with the Caribbean now being the second most seriously affected region in the world, after southern Africa. But far more people are affected by “surfeiting” in our region than anywhere else in the world. Caymanians in particular are now the world’s fattest people, on average. The myth still prevails that if you cannot afford to eat quality meals, then just go for big ones. Purveyors of ‘western-style’ junk food are making mega-profits in the Caribbean. In a recent survey, 78 percent of respondents chose “fries” as their favourite food.
A combination of improper diet and insufficient physical activity is the cause of 80 percent of all premature coronary heart disease. Obesity increases the risk of high blood pressure, lipid disorders, osteoporosis, depression, anxiety, diabetes, and cardio-vascular diseases. Obesity is now the number one health problem in the Caribbean islands and Guyana, and directly the cause of one in eight deaths.
The secret of good health has been known for a very long time, and was correctly identified by the Great Physician: avoid surfeiting and drunkenness! Studies in various Caribbean countries suggest that simply cutting down the size of meals by half — especially the rice and other starches — would prevent the development of almost 60 percent of diabetes cases and one third of all cancers. This enormous benefit would be increased still further by a regimen of greater physical activity. Did Paul have this in mind when he decided not to take the ship from Troas to Assos, “minding himself to go afoot”? Physical activity can be a practical means to achieving health gains such as lowering the rates of violence among young people, promoting a tobacco-free and drug-free lifestyle, reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness among older people, and reducing obesity in all age groups.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One