Diet, nutrition and the rising tide of NCDs

Guyana is at a critical juncture in the battle against chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). The warning signs have long been visible: steadily rising rates of diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, kidney failure, and other preventable conditions. What is now unfolding is a national development challenge that threatens workforce productivity, drains public resources, and undermines long-term social stability. The call by Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony for citizens to adopt more intelligent eating habits therefore deserves urgent and sustained national attention.
The country continues to experience an alarming increase in lifestyle-related illnesses, many of which can be traced to dietary habits shaped by cultural norms, convenience, and economic choices. Excessive consumption of starches, high-calorie foods, sugary beverages, oversized portions, and highly processed products has become embedded in daily routines. This pattern has contributed significantly to the surge in chronic illnesses, and the implications are now being seen across the healthcare system.
The Minister’s observation that tens of thousands of citizens are seeking treatment for diabetes should be viewed as a stark indicator of the scale of the crisis. Diabetes alone is straining clinics nationwide, and the ripple effects extend far beyond blood sugar management. Kidney failure, limb amputations, vision loss, cardiovascular complications, and long-term disability are increasingly common outcomes. These complications have profound economic and social consequences, affecting households, workplaces, and public health expenditure.
Dietary change remains one of the most cost-effective interventions available to reduce the burden of NCDs. Yet, changing entrenched eating habits has proven difficult. The cultural expectation that a “proper meal” must consist of large servings of rice, heavy starches, and sweetened beverages continues to undermine efforts to promote healthier lifestyles. Portion distortion, where larger servings are equated with value for money, has also contributed to overeating and unhealthy consumption patterns.
The observation that sugary beverages have become a lunchtime staple for many citizens reflects a broader issue, the normalisation of excessive sugar intake. The prevalence of large soft drink bottles as a routine part of meals illustrates a disconnect between daily consumption choices and long-term health outcomes. Reducing sugar intake is one of the most effective strategies in preventing diabetes, yet this requires both public awareness and behavioural change.
The Minister’s encouragement to choose water over sugary drinks challenges a misconception that drinking water reflects economic hardship. This mindset must be confronted and reversed. Public health messaging must work to reposition water as the standard and healthiest choice, not a symbol of deprivation. Hydration is fundamental to wellness, and water remains the safest, most accessible, and most beneficial beverage available.
The introduction of the Colourful Cooking, Healthy Living Recipe Book is a welcome initiative that supports a broader national effort to reshape dietary habits. Educational tools are essential in guiding citizens toward healthier food preparation, balanced meals, and portion control. However, publications alone cannot shift national behaviour without consistent public engagement, community-level interventions, and sustained policy support.
Addressing the NCD crisis demands a coordinated effort involving Government agencies, schools, food vendors, private sector employers, and civil society. Public education campaigns must be persistent, culturally relevant, and accessible across all regions. School feeding programmes should set the gold standard for healthy eating. Food vendors, particularly those serving large daily customer bases, should be encouraged or incentivised to offer nutritious alternatives. Labelling standards for sugar content and portion sizes could further empower consumers to make informed decisions.
Moreover, the healthcare system must continue strengthening its preventative care strategies. Early screening, nutrition counselling, and community health outreach play critical roles in catching risk factors before they escalate into chronic disease. As the Minister indicated, many complications that now require dialysis, amputations, or lifelong medical management could have been avoided through consistent dietary moderation and healthier daily choices.
The country must also acknowledge the economic dimensions of this issue. The cost of treating NCDs, dialysis, surgical interventions, and long-term medication will continue rising if preventative measures are not prioritised. Employers face productivity losses as more workers become ill earlier in life. Families shoulder emotional and financial burdens when chronic illness strikes. These realities underscore the urgency of national action.
Guyana cannot afford to view dietary change as a matter of individual preference alone. It is a public health imperative and a national development priority.
A healthier nation begins with informed choices at the table.