Rahael warns of obesity epidemic

Health Minister John Rahael yesterday said obesity is a global epidemic increasing at an exponential rate. He said research suggests that 115 million people in the developing world suffer from obesity related problems including hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and various cancers. One of the major factors for the disease is industrialisation and sedentary living. Rahael said as society advanced, people adopted practices involving less and less physical activity. He warned that moving toward the goal of developed-nation status by 2020 will result in more people sitting behind desks, driving vehicles and participating in leisurely activities.

“These are activities which require minimal movement.” Referring to international statistics he said in 1995 there was 222 million reported cases of obesity and by 2000 this had increased to 300 million. “Even more surprising is the World Health Organisation’s estimation of obesity increasing by 50 percent over the past seven to ten years.” Rahael and other senior officials of the Ministry were at the Brian Lara Promenade for the launch of Health Promotion Month being observed this month. The theme for this year is “Be Healthy, It’s worth it.” He said this year the focus is on heightening awareness about the dangers of obesity and sedentary lifestyles which encourage a “barrage of chronic diseases.”

Rahael said improving the quality of life can only occur through the access to accurate knowledge on managing health. He said improving primary health care has remained important on the Ministry’s agenda when it began implementing the Health Sector Reform Programme in 1994. “This approach emphasises providing the population of TT with education on healthy living in order to prevent the development of life threatening illnesses.” Rahael said health centres are a tremendous resource in the health system in providing information on disease prevention. New health centres are also being equipped with exercise equipment and they also had sessions on disease prevention and nutrition. The Health Minister admonished the public to lead more active lives because exercise is an essential element in the quest for good health.