The nutritional health and dietary habits of children ages six to 11 will be the focus of a Childhood Nutrition Surveillance Study. It is being conducted by the George Alleyne Chronic Disease Research Centre and the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill, in collaboration with the Shaw Centre for Paediatric Excellence. The study has obtained ethical approval from the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus and the Ministry of Health’s Institutional Review Board Approval has also been obtained from the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training. All eligible children and their parents or guardians are invited to participate in the study which will involve physical measurements, including height and weight and a brief questionnaire. The findings will contribute to understanding childhood nutrition and help shape policies to better support children’s health.

There are jacks plenty in the market. Fisherman and boat owner Jason Forde says this catch of jacks is one of the biggest he’s seen in a while. He caught six bins of jacks over a two-day period, and the delicacy is available both in the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex and the Payne’s Bay Fish Market.

Excessive rainfall today, Wednesday, October 2, 2024, will generate flooding across low-lying areas in the vicinity of central, western and southern districts. Therefore, the Barbados Meteorological Services has issued a Flash-Flood Warning. These conditions are predicted to peak this afternoon with some improvement tonight. Light winds, strong daytime heating and available moisture are generating localized activity across some districts of Barbados. Mostly cloudy with breaks of sunshine, scattered heavy to intense showers and isolated thunderstorms are forecast with rainfall accumulation of 40 to 75 mm. A Flash-Flood Warning is issued when rapid flooding due to heavy or excessive rainfall in a short period of time (generally less than 6 hours) is occurring or is imminent in the warning area. Take note of the following possible impacts: -There is a high possibility of significant flooding which will result in runoff from higher elevations -Soil erosion/land slippage on exposed or scarred land surfaces -Water settlements on roads and fields -Adjustments to water levels of existing water bodies (ponds etc.) -Large objects or debris from higher elevations becoming embedded within fast-moving water flows -Flooding at the foot of hillsides and coastal roads -Delays on traffic routes with some roads being impassable or cut off in and out of minor towns. The public should follow recommendations from the Department of Emergency Management and monitor BMS, DEM and GIS websites and their respective social media pages along with the local media networks for further updates. This Flash-Flood Warning was issued at 12:30 p.m. and will be terminated at 6:00 p.m. or sooner if conditions warrant.