Barbara McGaw | Time to get serious about obesity

World Obesity Day was observed on March 4 under the theme “Changing Perspectives: Let’s Talk About Obesity”. It is incumbent that we intensify the need for a comprehensive approach to curbing the increasing trends in overweight/obesity in Jamaica.

Statistics from the World Obesity Federation indicate that obesity is a global problem, affecting us all. Almost two billion of the global population is expected to be living with obesity in 2035. The Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey III (2016-2017) reports that one out of two Jamaicans aged 15 and older are overweight/obese (54 per cent). Data from the 2017 Global School-based Student Health Survey shows that 23.3 per cent of Jamaican students aged 13- 17 years are overweight and/or obese. This survey also highlights that childhood obesity in Jamaica has increased by 68.3 per cent in seven years, with three out of 10 of our children aged 13-17 being overweight/obese and rates that are almost doubling for boys. It is thus imperative to lay the utmost importance on the prevention of obesity in children and herald its progress.

Unhealthy diets are a major risk factor contributing to the high rates of obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Caribbean and are fuelled by the widespread availability and consumption of ultra-processed products containing high levels of “critical nutrients”, namely added sugars, total fats, saturated fats, trans fats, and sodium. A study done on fast-food and sweetened beverage consumption showed that more than 66 per cent of Jamaican adolescents aged 15 – 19 years consume fast food most days of the week. A subsequent local study done in 2021 by Van Der Rowe at the University of Technology, Jamaica, indicated that 80 per cent of Jamaicans aged 12-71 years gained weight during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study also reported more dependence on unhealthy foods (62.7 per cent) and a reduction in physical activity levels from 80 per cent to 73.3 per cent.

Climate change is a contributing factor to obesity, which is already the leading cause of poor health globally. It also presents complexities related to food security and food safety. With extreme temperature increases and the intermittent loss of vegetation, healthy food options like fruits, vegetables, and other crops will become more expensive due to scarcity, making it harder to maintain a healthy diet. Energy-dense, low-nutrient food and beverages have become more accessible, especially in these times, making them far more appealing than their healthier counterparts. This, coupled with a price surge on fresh produce, will exacerbate the dietary shift of Jamaicans.

LESS EQUIPPED

Jamaicans are less equipped to make informed choices, making it even more important to concentrate on population-based policies. There is no single solution, and we urge local policymakers to act by taking an evidence-based approach to equip Jamaicans with the necessary tools to make more informed choices. A suite of promising and innovative obesity-prevention strategies that include a front-of-package warning labelling policy, specifically the ‘High In’ black octagonal model, coupled with a comprehensive school nutrition policy and programmes to improve the school food environment, and policies to encourage consumption of water in lieu of sugar-sweetened beverages, have been proven to successfully drive change and have become hallmarks of successful obesity prevention.

The pillars of World Obesity Day underpin the need for ongoing conversations about obesity, the need for collective action, and the role everyone can play in reducing obesity. With increasing awareness of obesity’s impacts on health, finances, and Jamaica at large, it has come to the forefront for the development of health policies to address the associated challenges. The need for better strategies and novel policy interventions to manage obesity is critical. This World Obesity Day, the Heart Foundation of Jamaica calls on all governments, health-service providers, insurers, and philanthropic organisations to prioritise investment in tackling obesity. This means investment in obesity treatment services, early intervention, and prevention as part of the plan to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal 3.4, ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.

We know the roots of obesity run deep, and the only way we can make progress is by working together. This amplifies our call for action at the local, national, and global levels. Concerted action is needed from governments to set the agenda and lead a multisector response to develop and implement evidence-based policies to create healthier food and activity environments for Jamaica and break the barriers to healthy eating and physical activity.

We can all work together to ensure happier, healthier, and longer lives for everybody. As we focus on the health harms associated with being overweight/obese, let us all take on the challenge to begin leading healthier happier lives and act by choosing healthier diets, reducing stress and committing to at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily.

Barbara McGaw is the project manager of the Global Health Advocacy Project at the Heart Foundation of Jamaica. Send feedback to ghapjm@gmail.com.