Nutrition quiz seeks to improve diet
In the States there’s a growing debate about the eating habits of teenagers, most of whom seem to be addicted to a diet of Big Macs, fries and a super size Coke. Unfortunately, Belize with its dala chicken and greasy fries, is not much better off. That’s why public health officials are trying their best to spread the message of good nutrition. The vehicle is a national quiz and today high school students from the Belize District gathered at Holy Redeemer Parish Hall.
Marion Ali, Reporting
The students, grouped into teams of three, competed over three rounds of questions. In the final elimination round, Pallotti High edged out Saint Michael’s College for the title of district champs. Ladyville Technical High placed third.
Andrea Dawson says she and her colleagues were prepared for the victory.
Andrea Dawson, Student, Pallotti High
“Really it wasn’t much of a hassle for us because we are taking food and nutrition, so most of the things we already know, so really it was just a review for us.
Marion Ali
“They had to ask three questions before there was a tie breaker, what was going through your minds?”
Andrea Dawson
“We just hoped that we remembered everything that will give us more points to the questions, so that we could actually break this tie and remember everything that we actually studied and know from our background knowledge.”
According to quiz coordinator, Gilda Richardson, the Ministry of Health will be passing the responsibility of the event to the Ministry of Education, but her office will still be helping out with the meat of the event.
Gilda Richardson, Nutritionist, Ministry of Health
“We give them a manual to read and we select the questions from all those manuals and readers that we give them, so that the questions remain to what they have read; we don’t spring anything on them. Some of them are very easy, but still hard for some if they don’t have the information.”
This year’s quiz contest was extended to include secondary schools in three different zones countrywide. Next Friday, they will all meet at the Princess Hotel and Casino in Belize City to compete for the national championship. An added feature this year was the introduction of the mascot, “Nutri Power”. Marion Ali for News 5.
The competition is sponsored by A.D.M. Belize Mills.
