“Everybody needs to act,” says regional public health agency on obesity

By Aaron Humes: There is such a thing as too much of a good thing – and in the case of obesity, it can lead to lifelong complications.

Thus, in observance of World Obesity Day on Friday, Dr. Joy St John, Executive Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) stated, “Obesity is a major public health concern for us in the Region. We have some of the highest rates of overweight and obesity in the Americas among adults. Childhood obesity is associated with health problems such as Type 2 diabetes during childhood and has been linked to a higher risk of disability and premature death into adulthood.”

It is our collective responsibility to ensure happier, healthier, and longer lives for everybody, through more respect, better care, actions, and policies, the agency adds.

Obesity leads to high risk for non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. The COVID-19 pandemic has posed an additional risk to people living with obesity, as they are twice as likely to be hospitalized if they contract the COVID-19 virus. The pandemic has also added a burden to Caribbean health care systems which has, in some instances, led to delays and reduced access to support and treatment for people living with obesity. Children in lockdown reported in a study that they ate more meals, more ultra-processed foods high in fat, sugar, and salt, had reduced levels of physical activity and increased screen time.

Obesity, observes CARPHA, is about more than weight. There are a combination of genetic, psychological, sociocultural, economic, and environmental factors across society, with genetics accounting for 40 to 70 percent of the likelihood of developing obesity. The presence of life events such as prenatal life, early adulthood, pregnancy, illnesses (including mental illnesses) and medications, lack of sleep and elevated levels of stress disturb hormones which can affect your weight, and access to ultra-processed foods, marketing of unhealthy foods and lack of access to healthcare can also contribute to obesity.

As individuals, we can do our part by becoming more physically active, and reducing the consumption of salt, fats and sugar and increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables. We need to advocate for “green spaces” within our communities. Families cannot change their genes, but they can adjust the family environment to encourage healthy eating habits and physical activity. Governments are urged to improve policies that prioritise the prevention and management of obesity as a health issue. Employers should recognise the impact of stress on obesity and adopt policies that encourage employees to prioritize health throughout the working day and create a physical and cultural environment that promotes good mental and physical health.

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