Rabi Island: Change lifestyle, men told

[Stacey King]

Fiji Time Online Maneesha Karan
Friday, August 12, 2011

MEN need to change their lifestyle if they want to live as long as women.

The Minister for Women and Social Welfare, Dr Jiko Luveni, conveyed this message during her visit to Rabi Island on Wednesday. She highlighted the 2006 national census saying the average life expectancy for men was 64 years and 68 years for women.

Dr Luveni said men must move away from the daily consumption of yaqona and switch to carrying out daily chores, which enabled physical fitness.

She said women were much more active and physically fit compared to men.

"The women wake up early in the morning and prepare breakfast while the men and the children are still asleep," Dr Luveni said.

"She (woman) does all the household chores, cleaning, washing, scrubbing and cooking, works in the plantation, and is the last to go to bed. She gains all the exercise a body needs for a healthy lifestyle through her daily chores," she said.

"But what are men doing - they drink grog every day. Men must change their lifestyle to be able to live as long as women," she added.

To live long, Dr Luveni said one needed healthy balanced meals, which should include more of fruits and vegetables.

"The consumption of seafood such as fish helps build flesh and bone. The intake of fruits and vegetables provide the body with the vitamins for healthy skin. Root crops including yams, kumala and dalo provide strength and warmth to the body," she said.

Dr Luveni said a clean environment also contributed towards healthy living.

Referring to the 2006 national census, she said there were about 3000 widows in Fiji.