The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) says it is working on a project with Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago to strengthen actions against obesity in the region, which has the highest prevalence of overweight and obesity in the world.
PAHO, which on Tuesday observed World Obesity Day, said that the initiative also includes seven other countries in Latin America, namely Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Uruguay, adding that the lessons learned during this acceleration phase are expected to serve as a model for the future expansion of the plan across the region.
PAHO said in the Americas, 67.5 per cent of adults and 37.6 per cent of children and adolescents aged five to 19 are overweight or obese, increasing the risk of noncommunicable diseases and highlighting the urgency of immediate action.
It said the severity of this issue was underscored at the 75th World Health Assembly in 2022, when countries approved the WHO Acceleration Plan to Stop Obesity. This plan aims to halt the rising obesity rates through a comprehensive approach that combines regulatory, fiscal, and multisectoral strategies.
PAHO said in Latin America and the Caribbean, the current outlook is concerning, noting that since 1990, adult overweight and obesity rates in the Americas have increased by 52 per cent, rising from 44.4 percent to 67. per cent in 2022.
PAHO warned that if the current trend continues, projections indicate that by 2030, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adults will reach 73.2 per cent.
“These numbers are alarming, and they represent not just statistics, but millions of lives affected by chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and several types of cancer,” said Dr. Anselm Hennis, Director of the Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health at PAHO.
“If we do not act decisively, preventable illnesses and premature deaths will continue to rise,” he added.
To address this challenge, PAHO and the nine participating countries are implementing a series of measures based on the technical recommendations of the Acceleration Plan.
These strategies include the application of front-of-package warning labels and the regulation of marketing for unhealthy food products, the promotion of breastfeeding, the regulation of foods offered in schools, and the adoption of fiscal policies that promote healthy diets. Additionally, efforts include the improvement of physical activity particularly in public and school settings and the strengthening of primary health care.
The plan also underscores the importance of monitoring and evaluating interventions to enable policy innovation based on results.
PAHO said given that each country has different contexts and capacities, progress varies; however, the lessons learned are expected to be valuable for future expansion.
It said Argentina, Barbados, Chile, Mexico, Panama, and Uruguay have already started developing their roadmaps and that Chile, which has the highest prevalence of overweight and obesity in the region (78.8 per cent), was the first to present a National Plan for the Prevention of Childhood and Adolescent Obesity.
PAHO said to support these efforts, it continues to provide technical assistance, capacity-building, and intersectoral coordination.
“These actions also contribute to PAHO’s Better Care for Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) Initiative, which aims to expand equitable access to comprehensive health services at the primary health care level,” PAHO said.
WASHINGTON, Mar 5, CMC –
CMC/fh/r/2025