The International Committee on Seafarers’ Welfare, aware of the importance of lifestyle aspects in the health of seafarers, launches “OVERWEIGHT PREVENTION” as one of the topics in the Seafarers’ Health Information Programme, sponsored by the ITF Seafarers’ Trust.
SHIP encourages seafarers to take responsibility for their health within their living and working environment.
Although SHIP addresses individual seafarers on lifestyle related issues, SHIP is also an instrument for health promotion in the workplace.
The ship, where seafarers not only work but spend all their time during a voyage, is seen as the best place for health intervention.
The availability of healthy food choices supports a healthy workplace and helps the individual seafarer to make healthy lifestyle choices.
Access to healthy food (and protection from unhealthy food and eating arrangements) is as essential as protection from workplace chemicals and noise. Obesity accounts for 2-7 per cent of the total health costs in industrialised countries (Food at Work, ILO).
By information and knowledge the seafarer has to learn about the risks of overweight and the negative impact of overweight on his health. Tools have to be given to permit the seafarer to control his weight and to prevent or reduce overweight in a safe and healthy environment onboard ship.
