According to Pan American Health Organization figures, about 10 million people in Central America suffer from extreme hunger.
While Belize might have a 44% level of poverty, few would agree that we are hungry. Yes we are eating even if it is the 'caldo' in Toledo or the 'dollar chicken' in Belize City we are eating - but are we doing it healthily? That is exactly the question being discussed at the 20th meeting of INCAP -The Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama.
Regional directors of health services are at this meeting and Belize's Dr. Errol Vanzie opened the session this morning emphasizing the importance of not just if you eat but what you eat.
Dr, Errol Vanzie, Director of Heath Services
"Nutrition determines how we grow during childhood, how we will develop as youths and young adults and how we will live our older days."
Hon. Vildo Marin, Minister of Health
"When we think of nutrition we must not only think of having food available - it goes beyond that. Nutrition represents a fundamental component in the development of each individual and not only the individuals but also the community as a whole. Adequate nutrition is an essential component for individual health and also for the development of any population. We cannot speak of economic development if we do not have food."
The meeting will conclude tomorrow. This INCAP session is laying the groundwork for a meeting of regional health ministers set for later this year.