Overweight and obesity increase in Latin America and the Caribbean

 

 

 

The report was prepared through the joint work of FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) and PAHO (Pan American Health Organization). With the exception of Haiti (38.5%), Paraguay (48.5%) and Nicaragua (49.4%), overweight affects more than half of the population of all the countries of the region.

 

 

 

Chile (63%), Mexico (64%) and the Bahamas (69%) have the highest rates. Obesity affects 140 million people, or 23% of the regional population, and the highest rates are in the Caribbean countries: Bahamas (36.2%) Barbados (31.3%), Trinidad and Tobago %) And Antigua and Barbuda (30.9%). The rise in obesity affects women disproportionately: in more than 20 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, the rate of female obesity is 10% higher than that of men.

 

 

 

The report indicates that one of the main factors contributing to the rise in obesity and overweight was the change in eating habits. Economic growth, urbanization, improved incomes and entry of the region into international markets have helped reduce the consumption of traditional foods and increased the consumption of ultra-processed products (sugar, fat, salt), Which has had a much greater impact in the regions and countries that are net food importers.

 

 

 

To address this situation, FAO and PAHO call for the promotion of healthy and sustainable food systems linking agriculture, food, nutrition and health. In order to do this, States must encourage the sustainable production of fresh, healthy and nutritious food by promoting supply, diversification and access to food. As well as the establishment of a nutritional education.

 

 

 

Nearly 127 million tons of food are lost or wasted every year in Latin America and the Caribbean. According to FAO and PAHO, the use of land and other natural resources needs to be managed more efficiently and sustainably, food production, storage and processing techniques need to be improved and food wastage reduced To ensure equal access to food for all.