What do we do about the problem of overweight and obesity in the Americas?

ABSTRACT

Within the last two decades the prevalence of obesity in the developed world has moved from single digits to near 20 percent. Even more alarming is that within the same time frame the prevalence of overweight in the developing world has exceeded that in the developed countries, with. for example, rates of up to 30 percent in adult females being reported in the Caribbean. This disproportionate increase in the developing world is expected to accelerate even further since individuals, health care providers, and planners have been slow to either recognize or react to the problem. Individuals have been blinded by cultural factors that interpret obesity as desirable and a sign of wealth and economic success. Many planners lack sufficient financial resources and personnel-and, most importantly, adequate local data with which to influence public policy decisions. Clinicians have been coached in the model of acute care, and they operate in environments ill suited to handling chronic, lifestyle-related diseases.