Once again, the nutritional habits of our country are being scrutinised, and some health experts are warning that if we do not provide the proper foods, we could become a fat and lazy nation.

According to an article published in the Tuesday Gleaner, a food economist said that current food accessibility was compromised as 15 per cent of Jamaicans cannot meet food and other living needs.

The article also noted that seven per cent of these persons were indigent and unable to find food daily. The main concern was the fact that many Jamaicans were unable to access vital sources of nourishment, such as fruits and vegetables, due to shortages and high prices.

These statements clearly indicate the seriousness of the food shortages and price increases now affecting our island. It is certainly clear that some sort of plan is needed to ensure that our citizens do not develop horrible eating habits which will eventually lead to serious lifestyle diseases.

So far, the Government has attempted to arrest the problem by introducing a $500-million assistance programme to curtail prices on some food items. However, this subsidy may not be sustainable forever and so, some emphasis need, to be put on increasing production locally so that we can at least grow enough nutritional foods to feed ourselves.

There is clearly a need for a sustainable long-term plan to tackle the food shortages we are now experiencing and with the forecast of a possible recession in major world markets, our situation is likely to worsen. Therefore, the Government needs to act wisely and quickly before it is too late.