FOR 24-year-old Vito Qaqa exercising is something he looks forward to daily. For the Weilagi, Taveuni man he is confident that if every Fijian trains for at least 30 minutes a day, Fiji will not see an increase in non-communicable diseases.
Mr Qaqa thanked the Government for declaring September as National Physical Activity Month saying it is up to every Fijian to take advantage of the pavements along the sea wall and the exercise equipment provided free by the city council to encourage healthy living.
“I do this every day. I make sure to come out and train and use the exercise equipment that’s here.
“The best thing about it is that it’s free,” Mr Qaqa said.
“I left my village about two years ago to come and look for job and it has been difficult, so just to get my mind off things I come here to exercise and it really does help.”
Mr Qaqa said when his cousins from the village visited, he encouraged them to make use of the walkways along the Nasese sea wall as well and the exercise equipment.
“Pacific Islanders are known for being big and they love their food, so my advice to people is to watch what you eat and stay focused. I believe that Fiji can reduce the increasing number of deaths that’s related to NCDs and it’s through eating and staying healthy,” Mr Qaqa said.
Mr Qaqa used to play rugby when he was back in Weilagi Village in the First Light rugby team.
“Exercising should not only be done because Government has declared it to be done on a specific day or month, it should be done all year round,” Mr Qaqa said.
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