A Crisis of Overweight and Obesity in Latin America and the Caribbean

The change in the eating habits in Latin America and the Caribbean has led to an increase in overweight and obesity in the region. Credit: Eduardo Bermúdez / FAORLCBy Eve CrowleySANTIAGO, Jan 23 2017 (IPS)Obesity and overweight have spread like a wildfire throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, threatening the health, well-being and food and nutritional security of millions of people.According to the new publication of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Panorama of Food and Nutrition Security, close to 58 percent of the inhabitants of the region are overweight (360 million people) while obesity affects 140 million people, 23 percent of the regional population.In almost all countries of the region, overweight affects at least half the population, with the highest rates observed in the Bahamas (69 percent), Mexico (64 percent) and Chile (63 percent).Over the last 20 years there has been a rapid increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity across the population, regardless of their economic, ethnic or place of residence, although the risk is higher in net food-importing regions and countries, which consume more ultra-processed foods.Eve Crowley, acting regional representative of FAO for Latin American and the Caribbean. Credit: Max Valencia/FAORLCThis situation is particularly serious for women, since in more than 20 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, the rate of female obesity i...

Source: IPS Inter Press Service - Health - January 23, 2017 Category: Global & Universal Authors: Eve Crowley Tags: Headlines Health Latin America & the Caribbean Population Poverty & SDGs Women's Health Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Nutrition obesity Source Type: news