Dr. Virginia Asin-Oostburg, Director of the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), says studies have revealed that women in the Caribbean have higher rates of obesity compared to men.
In a message to mark World Obesity Day on Thursday, she said women also have higher rates of abdominal obesity and are likely to be three times more obese than men.
In a recent report, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) stated that obesity and overweight are on the rise throughout the Caribbean and Latin America and are particularly prevalent among women and children.
CARPHA said it continues to support member states and other regional organisations in efforts to minimise the impact of obesity in the Caribbean.
Several initiatives are being spearheaded.
These include improving food and nutrition surveillance systems, and the implementation of activities associated with its Childhood Obesity Action Plan.
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