Accra, June 6, GNA - Dr Francis Kwamin, Lecturer at University of Ghana Medical School on Tuesday called for the establishment of gymnasiums in workplaces to promote physical fitness as part of preventive measures against cardiovascular disease (CVDs). He said Ghanaians should exercise regularly and take part in the monthly walk of the Ghana Health Service (GHS).

The Service is to revive the monthly health walks to create more awareness on the health benefits of physical exercises besides recommending the addition of gyms to the planning of buildings for exercises.

These were announced at the monthly health talk for the Ministries Community organized by the GHS, in Accra as part of activities to educate the public on their health. Dr Kwamin advised that people should consume less salt and that condiments should also be used sparingly, and should be optional in food joints and restaurants while emphasis should be placed on exercising the body.

=93Daily physical activity improves self image, boosts energy level, increases muscle strength, increasing the ability to do other physical activities, improved the ability to fall asleep quickly and sleep well, and establishes a good heart healthy habits in children,=94 he said.

Dr Kwamin st ressed that physical inactivity was one of the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and heart failure, hypertension, diabetes and other cardiovascular cases constituted a cumulative 20 per cent of deaths in sentinel health facilities in Ghana in 2005. Other risk factors were hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, unhealthy dietary habits, smoking and alcohol consumption. Ms Elizabeth Baako, Deputy Programme Manager of Non-Communicable Disease Programme of GHS, in a presentation, said there was generally a poor detection and control of hypertension.

She said overweight persons had two to three times risk of developing coronary artery disease and hypertension than slim persons. Those, who had gained substantial weight since they were young adults, were at the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Sustained consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and soda increased the risk of overweight while the eating of fast food, nicknamed "check check" also posed a serious cardiovascular health risks. Ms Baako called for a change in lifestyles by avoiding tobacco, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting the watching of television and the eating of healthy diet.

She asked Ghanaians to replace saturated fats with unsaturated fats usually from plant sources, eat fruits and vegetables. According to Ms Baako CVDs kill 15 million people annually worldwide, and in Ghana, CVDs were more prevalent in the Greater Accra Region, followed by the Volta Region, with the least number of cases in the three Northern Regions.

She called on the law enforcement agencies to enforce legislation on food imports, pointing to the need to check advertising on unwholesome foods.

There should be limited use of energy savers and recreational facilities must be provided to ease stress. Dr Gloria Quansah Asare, Reproductive and Child Health Unit of the GHS, chaired the talk.