It is a ranking that no one in this country should be proud of—T&T is the third fattest country in the world. According to data released over the weekend, only Kuwait and the United States rank higher than this country in those global estimates. T&T made it onto the list because at least 60 per cent of our population of 1.3 million is obese and the situation has been getting worse in the past decade and a half, with the country’s obesity index increasing from around 20 per cent to 60 per cent of adults and 30 per cent of children under 15.
These sobering facts now underscore the need for controlling obesity to be high on the national health agenda. People are considered overweight if their body mass index (BMI) is 25 or higher and they are obese with a BMI of 30 or higher. This is the result of unhealthy eating or activity habits and means higher risk for diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, coronary artery disease, strokes and other conditions.
In children, obesity increases the risk for long-term chronic health problems, with negative consequences, not only for the obese individuals, but for T&T’s health care system.
There is no doubt that this problem, usually chronic in wealthier, more developed countries, has afflicted T&T because too many citizens have become more sedentary and are more likely to make unhealthy eating choices.
This is a major public health concern which has already been recognised by Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan. Early in his tenure as minister he introduced initiatives like the Fight the Fat campaign to encourage healthy eating habits and active lifestyles. His approach of prevention rather than cure is just what is needed in this developing country.
However, according to the minister, there is not enough funding for these programmes to have the necessary reach and impact needed to quickly reverse the obesity problem.
The aim should be to achieve lower rates of obesity so that more citizens enjoy better health and there is lower health care spending per capita.
This will require not just a sustained effort from the Health Ministry but other ministries and agencies as well, to increase public awareness of the dangers of obesity and encourage healthier lifestyles.
EDITORIAL: Urgent need to control obesity in T&T
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