There is a significant movement n Barbados to prevent children from eating what is considered unhealthy snacks and foods.   This concern started with the alarming rate of childhood obesity on the island where 30-31% of the children are obese.

Schools nutrition guidelines were promoted in schools while there have been heavy taxes on sugary drinks and vendors around the schools were asked to add fruit and healthy snacks to their sale items.

While the effort for healthier foods is commendable just as important is the need to get all children physically active.

It is therefore surprising that a sport like swimming does not get the attention it deserves on this island surrounded by water. 

Every year, the inter school swimming championships attracts a handful of schools with some schools entering just one or two children and cannot make a relay team.

There are again, a handful of schools who enter most sport tournaments but way too many do not enter not even one tournament.

It cannot be enough to shout about what children eat and do little to get children physically active abd especially when the authorities to put programs in place and to make physical activities moe attractive to students.