A primary school teacher is calling on parents to take greater responsibility for their children's diets, warning that the effects of poor nutrition are becoming increasingly visible in classrooms across Antigua. According to Antigua Observer, the appeal was made at the "Food as Medicine, Soil as Life" workshop held at the American University of Antigua.
Leslie-Ann Colbourne, who is also a farmer and agri-processor, told workshop attendees that many parents have little awareness of what their children are eating outside the home.
"We need to be more mindful about what our children consume," Colbourne said. "They get money every day to spend, and we have no clue as parents what our children are buying and consuming."
Colbourne said students in her classroom regularly consume soda, sweets and fried foods while taking in little to no fruits, vegetables or water. She urged parents to make healthier food options more appealing at home through creative preparation.
The physical signs of poor nutrition are often overlooked, she warned, pointing to oily skin and excessive acne among students that is sometimes mistaken for normal puberty rather than a dietary problem. She said the pattern begins as early as infancy, when parents frequently prioritise convenience over nutritional value during the weaning stage.
Colbourne cited one student, aged 10 or 11, who was recently advised by a doctor to monitor her blood sugar levels — a warning sign Colbourne linked directly to the child's daily consumption of sweets and soda.
She stressed that the consequences of childhood poor nutrition reach far beyond the individual, placing pressure on the broader healthcare system, workforce and national economy.
"It's gonna put a strain on the country," Colbourne said. "It puts a strain on Medical Benefits. It puts a strain on the workforce."
Colbourne also noted concerns raised at the workshop regarding the reproductive health implications of poor nutrition among young men, adding that the burden extends into long-term productivity and family life.
She called for a coordinated national response, including public health campaigns and nutrition education programmes in schools, to reverse the current trend.
