Health
Strengthening Systems for Healthier Lives: Tackling Obesity in the Caribbean
World Obesity Day, March 2025
March 4 is recognised as World Obesity Day, with the theme “Changing Systems: Healthier Lives.” This theme is a significant call to action for governments, healthcare institutions, and communities to confront one of our time’s most critical health challenges. Obesity has emerged as a global epidemic, and the Caribbean region is not exempt from its impact.
Despite positive developments, the region continues to face considerable obstacles in reversing trends that place millions at risk for the development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. To create a meaningful and lasting impact on public health, we must assess where we are today, celebrate our achievements, and strategically reinforce our systems.
The Caribbean’s Chronic Struggle with Obesity
Obesity has been rising at an alarming rate in the Caribbean, with many countries in the region experiencing a sharp increase in persons living with overweight and obesity across all age groups. According to the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), over 50% of adults in the region are categorized as overweight or obese, and childhood obesity has more than doubled in the last three decades. As of 2022, 8.6% of children under five in Latin America and the Caribbean were overweight, surpassing the global average of 5.6%. This trend has been escalating, with the region experiencing a 1.2 percentage point increase between 2012 and 2022, compared to a 0.1 percentage point rise globally. The burden of obesity-related illnesses continues to strain our fragile healthcare systems, reducing productivity and increasing premature mortality.
This surge in obesity is attributed to several factors, including the widespread availability of ultra-processed products, decreased physical activity (PA), and socioeconomic disparities that limit access to healthy food options and safe recreational spaces. These elements contribute to obesogenic environments, particularly in urban areas where more than 81% of the population resides. Despite these challenges, there are some promising efforts.
Signs of Progress: The Good Things We’re Seeing
Several Caribbean nations, NGOs, and health agencies have launched initiatives to combat obesity and promote healthier lifestyles. Among these successes:
School Nutrition Policies
- In 2022, Barbados approved the National School Nutrition Policy (NSNP), representing a significant advancement in efforts to combat childhood obesity. The subsequent launch of this policy in 2023 demonstrates the island’s commitment to implementing structured nutritional guidelines within educational institutions. Similarly, Trinidad and Tobago (2017) implemented a ban on the sale of sugar-sweetened beverages in primary and secondary schools. These frameworks enhance the nutritional quality of school meals by establishing dietary guidelines. Many other countries like Jamaica and Grenada are pursuing similar policies as advocates continue to seek a better Caribbean food environment. By integrating nutrition-focused policies within educational settings, these initiatives aim to instill lifelong healthy eating habits from an early age.
- Increased Awareness Campaigns
- Governments and NGOs have intensified their public health campaigns to raise awareness about obesity and the vital benefits of active living. Leveraging social media, television, and community outreach, these initiatives are reshaping health perspectives across the region. Notably, Jamaica’s Jamaica Moves Campaign, launched in 2017, Dominica’s Fit for Life Campaign, which began in 2020 and the 2024 Caribbean Moves initiative stand as powerful testament to this commitment, effectively encouraging citizens to embrace regular PA, nutritious eating habits, and routine health screenings.
Legislation and Advertising
- The Caribbean has been slow to adopt clear food labelling and strict regulations on the marketing of unhealthy foods targeted at children. Nevertheless, some member states have taken significant steps in this area. Barbados, for instance, introduced a 10% excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages in 2015, and increased it to 20% in 2022, to decrease consumption and encourage healthier choices. Following suit, Jamaica and Grenada established the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) Restrictions in Schools in 2019 and 2020 respectively, which imposed limits on the sugar content of beverages available in educational institutions, promoting the adoption of healthier alternatives.
Community-Based Wellness Initiatives
- The rise of community-driven wellness programs has encouraged participation in healthier habits at the local and national levels. Saint Lucia’s National Physical Activity Program (2017) encourages exercise through community fitness sessions and the development of walking trails. The Bahamas’ Healthy Lifestyles Initiative (2018) enhances this effort by offering nutrition workshops, fitness classes, and community gardens to improve access to healthy food. Additionally, the Medical Benefits Scheme of Antigua and Barbuda implements community-based events that aim to raise awareness regarding NCDs while providing opportunities for increased levels of physical activity (PA). Ultimately seeking to promote informed health choices and enhance the overall well-being of communities.
Multilateral Agencies, NGOs, and Government Partnerships
- Obesity prevention in the Caribbean has progressed due to the collaboration of governments, NGOs, and international agencies. From the Healthy Caribbean Coalition’s Childhood Obesity Prevention Action Plan (2017-2021) which has been instrumental in engaging civil society to address this health issue and the CARPHA Six-Point Policy Package in 2019. To the Creative Play Initiative in Barbados (2024), developed by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, which promotes PA in schools. These and other programs such as the Reversing the Rise in Childhood Obesity Project (2017-2020) in Saint Lucia and Grenada have focused on reducing obesogenic environments through policy reforms and educational efforts, encouraging healthier choices in communities. While progress has been made, continued investment in preventative strategies remains crucial to reversing obesity trends in the region.
Strengthening Our Systems for Greater Impact
For the Caribbean to see a significant and lasting reduction in obesity rates, we must move beyond isolated programs and create sustainable frameworks that integrate health into every aspect of society. Here’s how we can strengthen our systems:
- Enhancing Policy Implementation and Enforcement – Policies like school nutrition policy must be enforced strictly, with harsh penalties for non-compliance, in addition to being adopted. Taxing sugar-sweetened drinks and offering subsidies for locally grown, fresh fruit are two bold measures that governments must adopt. This two-pronged strategy will enable communities to make better decisions and ensure that everyone has access to wholesome food.
- Strengthening Primary Healthcare Systems – Prevention and management must become the cornerstones of our primary
healthcare systems if we are to effectively tackle obesity. We need to increase access to bariatric services, fund aggressive early intervention programs, and make large investments in nutrition counselling. - Integrating Physical Activity into Daily Life – Urban planning must prioritize the development of safe and inviting green spaces, walking paths, and recreational facilities. We should mandate daily physical education in schools and implement workplace wellness policies that actively encourage movement throughout the day. By embedding PA into our daily routines, we foster a culture of health and vitality.
- Expanding Food Security and Access to Healthy Choices – The Caribbean must champion sustainable agriculture to reduce our reliance on imported processed foods. Strengthening partnerships among farmers (including young agripreneurs), manufacturers, retailers, and governments is essential to guarantee that nutritious foods are not only available but also affordable for all citizens. This collaborative effort will lay the groundwork for a healthier future.
- Education and Behaviour Change – To effectively transform cultural attitudes toward food and PA, we must weave health education into the very fabric of school curricula. Launching powerful media campaigns that normalize balanced lifestyles, coupled with leveraging digital platforms to enhance health literacy, will profoundly influence societal norms and inspire meaningful behaviour change. Together, we can shift mindsets and create a healthier, more vibrant Caribbean.
Where Do We Go From Here?
The Caribbean stands at a defining moment in the fight against obesity. If we choose to maintain the status quo, we are inevitably heading toward skyrocketing healthcare costs and a significant decline in our quality of life. However, by investing in the strengthening of our systems today, we can pave the way for a healthier, more productive region for generations to come. Achieving this vision demands unwavering collaboration between governments, private sector leaders, and community organizations, all united in the pursuit of prioritizing health in every aspect of our lives.
As we commemorate World Obesity Day 2025, let us issue a powerful call to action for our leaders, healthcare professionals, and citizens to embrace real, systemic change. A healthier Caribbean is within our grasp, but it will only become a reality if we boldly take the necessary steps to fortify our systems and champion the well-being of our people. Together, we can transform our future and create a thriving Caribbean region.
About the Author
Offniel Lamont is the Physiotherapist at the G.C. Foster College of Physical Education and Sport. He holds a Masters degree from University College London (UCL) in Sports Medicine, Exercise, and Health whose focus area is leveraging exercise as a powerful tool in the prevention and treatment of sports injuries and NCDs. Lamont’s commitment also extends to empowering Caribbean youth as a dedicated advocate within the Healthy Caribbean Coalition.
Kingston, Jamaica, March 10, 2025 – The Government has significantly increased investments in healthcare and should another crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic hit the island, the country will be better equipped to deal with it, according to Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness.
Speaking at the unveiling of a monument in honour of healthcare workers who died while tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, today (March 10), at the National Chest Hospital in St. Andrew, the Prime Minister said out of a commitment to strengthen the healthcare system and to strengthen the healthcare workforce, the Government instituted the Dr. Barry Wint Memorial Scholarship in 2024.
“We are investing $2.5 billion to support 607 students pursuing studies in medical technology, nursing, biomedical engineering, and other critical health-related fields,” he said, adding that the fund is ensuring the building of a robust pipeline of professionals “dedicated to service in the health sector.
“This is a solid commitment of how the Government is dealing with building resilience in the system, supporting our professionals, and at the same time ensuring that we can deliver healthcare with care,” the Prime Minister said.
He noted that while July has been earmarked to recognise the “selfless contribution of those who carried us through the crisis, more needs to be done”.
“Our appreciation cannot be confined to a single month or a single event. It must be reflected in how we value and support our healthcare professionals every single day. To the families of the fallen, I know that no words can fill the space left, especially for your loved ones,” Dr.
Holness said.
The Prime Minister underscored that the legacies of the healthcare workers live on in the patients they treated, the lives they touched, and now in the monument that has been erected.
“Let us commit to a Jamaica where those who dedicate their lives to caring for others are themselves cared for. Let us also commit to upholding the values these healthcare workers have embodied – care, compassion, resilience and unity. In their action and sacrifice, they made a choice,” the Prime Minister said.
March 10 marks the fifth anniversary since the first case of COVID-19 was identified in the country, and the fourth year since the start of the recovery with the administration of vaccines.
Contact: Garfield L. Angus
Release: JIS
Deandrea Hamilton
Editor
Turks and Caicos, March 15, 2025 – The disease is Type 1 Achalasia; which blocks the esophagus and makes eating a difficult and painful experience. It is so rare that each year only one case in every one hundred thousand people is detected. It’s likely why a North Caicos family found themselves in a frightening guessing game when the disorder attacked the esophagus of their ten-year-old son; driving him to a scary state of malnutrition as his body rejected just about every meal he tried to eat.
“Post surgery, he has recovered well. He is eating and back to his normal diet. I just want to give thanks to the doctors, and the Almighty for giving them the wisdom to recognise what was the necessary procedure and for taking us through it safely.”
On the other side of this medical dilemma was a team skilled with correcting the problem; they are based in Colombia, at the International Hospital of Colombia. Experience with the surgical procedure among the adult population had already prepared the doctors, which was easily able to transfer that expertise and attention to younger patients.
“Under the leadership of Dr. Juan Javier Acevedo, a specialist in Gastrointestinal Surgery and Digestive Endoscopy, and Dr. Carlos Augusto Cuadros, a specialist in Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, the medical team conducted a high-resolution esophageal manometry, a test that evaluates pressure and coordination of esophageal movements. The results confirmed the diagnosis of type 1 achalasia, allowing them to determine the most appropriate treatment approach,” explained a statement from the hospital which is part of the pool of medical facilities in the TCI’s Treatment Abroad Program.
The TCI National Health Insurance Board manages the Treatment Abroad Program, TAP.
Tivon Wright was enjoying a typical existence as an outstanding achiever of the Charles Hubert James Primary School in Kew, North Caicos.
The fifth grader, who recently earned second place prize at the FortisTCI primary school Science Quiz, is a gold medal singer in the Music Festival of the Department of Culture and secured first place in the Department of Education’s Math Speed Quiz, was growing well and doing well when classic achalasia hijacked his health.
Today, he is beaming and eating and for everyone who participated in his return to a normal, happy existence, this is a relief and a miracle.
“It was very scary because before that, we did not know what was happening, just that he was not eating and losing weight and everybody was worried.
I want to thank the almighty God and I want to thank the medical personnel here in Turks and Caicos because the diagnosis started here.
Dr. Gomo Laidlow examined him and he realized that there was something wrong. He (Tivon) would eat something, whether liquid or solid, and throw it up. Over time we saw him losing weight, drastically,” said Kwabena Katakayle Wright, Tivon’s father.
The recommendation from the North Caicos Clinic was for Tivon to see a pediatrician in Providenciales. That visit resulted in an x-ray which exposed the issue and gave the doctors in Colombia the information they needed to prepare for their first international patient for type 1 achalasia.
An image sent to the team from the Turks and Caicos revealed the blockage; the doctors knew immediately what needed to happen and activated a life-changing plan.
“There was a blockage in the esophagus, and the pediatrician said there is no pediatric surgeon team in the Turks and Caicos, that we would have to go overseas.
That is when Nurse Mickel of the National Health Insurance Board contacted me and told us that we would be accepted in Colombia.”
The family embarked on the one-day trip to Colombia last November, and the effort to get Tivon back to good health was tireless.
“They were very professional. From the time we arrived, the doctors and the nurses there were working around the clock. I really admire their professionalism and the type of service that we received,” said Mr. Wright.
In a virtual interview with Magnetic Media earlier this week, the joy on the faces of the doctors who performed that life-altering surgery was unmistakable and heartening.
“From the time they saw the image sent to them from the Turks and Caicos, they already had a plan in their minds.”
Mr. Wright confirmed the same, adding that an endoscopy was performed for further evaluation of Tivon’s condition.
“They verified that yes, there was a blockage but the pediatrician and the surgeon wanted to see a little more.”
Tivon was taken to a second facility for that evaluation and then the surgery was scheduled.
“To correct this condition, the specialists performed a peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM), a minimally invasive procedure. Using an endoscope, we made a controlled incision in the lower esophageal sphincter to reduce pressure and allow food to pass normally,” explained Dr. Acevedo. “This is the first POEM case in an international pediatric patient at HIC.”
The doctors said they are truly excited at the results for Tivon and reiterated that it was their experience that qualified them for the task. We asked them about the possible origin of the condition.
“The specific cause of the disease is unknown, but there is a hypothesis that it is a viral infection and another hypothesis that it is an auto-immune disease that affects the throat and the esophagus. But the actual cause is unknown.”
During the virtual interview, Tivon had an opportunity to also share his gratitude and feelings. The student said that he was happy, that he trusted God the whole time and confirmed that his first meal, following the surgery, was an island favourite, “rice with chicken.”
It was prepared Colombian style and yes, it went down and stayed down to cement that master Wright was well on the road to full recovery.
“He can now eat normally, but it is important to continue with the follow up with the specialist and also with endoscopic images.”
A follow up visit to his doctors in Colombia is planned for this Summer.
Photos courtesy of Wright Family
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