Health ministry on mission to reduce obesity

THE MINISTRY of Health is leading a multisectoral approach to reduce the number of persons suffering from obesity.

Under the National Strategic and Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Jamaica 2013 to 2018, the ministry and its partners are implementing innovative measures to address this condition.

Known as a ‘silent killer’, obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat accumulates to the extent that it negatively impacts an individual’s overall health.

This is not to be confused with overweight, which is where a person

President of the Jamaica Association of Professionals in Nutrition and Dietetics, Vanessa White-Barrow. has more body fat than is recommended for optimal health.

President of the Jamaica Association of Professionals in Nutrition and Dietetics, Vanessa White-Barrow, said that a healthy diet consisting largely of fruit and vegetables play an important role in weight control.

NOT ENOUGH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Data from the 2007-2008 Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey II conducted by the National Health Fund and the University of the West Indies, of persons aged 15 to 74, show that nearly half of the population is not eating sufficient portions of these nutrient-rich foods.

White-Barrow said the study shows that an unhealthy diet, high in fat and low nutritional value, coupled with low levels of physical activity, is a major contributing factor to the high level of obesity in the country.

“Data from the survey showed that about 99 per cent of the population is eating below the recommended level of fruits per day. The recommendation is two servings of fruit per day. The recommended guideline for vegetables is about three servings per day. Less than two per cent of the population is meeting those recommendations,” she said.

The survey also indicates that the prevalence of obesity in Jamaica is increasing, causing many NCDs, including Type 2 diabetes, which affects some 150,000 Jamaicans, with one quarter suffering from high blood pressure. Other chronic illnesses arising from obesity are heart disease, stroke, cancers, infertility and osteoarthritis.