A BIG misconception that surrounds the topic of obesity is the thought or opinion that it mainly or only affects well -developed and high-income countries. Myself, and countless numbers of statistics beg to differ. In fact, there has been an ‘obesity epidemic’ since the beginning of the century.

The Pan- American Health Organisation (PAHO) stated that the obesity rate among Guyanese-adults went from 35 per cent in the year 2006 to 55 per cent in 2016. Medical News Today describes obesity as a medical condition, yes you saw correctly, a medical condition that occurs when a person carries excess weight or body fat that might affect their health.

It is said that a person is also obese if they have a high BMI (Body Mass Index) of 30 and over. A BMI is a measuring tool that helps doctors evaluate if a person is at an appropriate weight for their age, sex and height. Obesity also increases the risk of various cancers, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, etc.

Obesity may occur if we have an excessive intake of calories, refuse to exercise and burn those calories out, when we do not have enough sleep (seven to eight hours a day). While these are things we can control, there are some that we hardly can such as obesity genes and weight gain through medications. While these are all factors I am sure you’re aware of, it’s time to discuss the ones we take for granted. “Lose some weight”, “Stop eating unhealthy food”, “If they wanted to lose weight, they would have”.

We point fingers at persons with obesity, saying it’s their fault but is that always the case? Perhaps, they suffer from an eating disorder? Does the community that they reside in have access to safe and healthy foods? Can they afford those safe and healthy foods? Is it caused by genes or medications? Perhaps it’s the inherited dietary routines of their parents? These are all questions I rarely hear Guyanese asking themselves, each other and most importantly, the person who is a victim of obesity.

Children are also victims of this medical condition. Guyanese love to sugar coat the issue by saying, “Dem gun grow it out” with regard to an obese child. To think it starts in adulthood is only one way in which we fail our children and their health. Parents are their sole guides. Your children may imitate you in many ways so telling them to eat healthily and seeing you do the opposite because you’re an adult will only confuse their impressionable minds.

Apart from the physical downfall of obesity, persons living with it also suffer mentally and emotionally. From the social pressure of standard body types to the inability to obtain proper social or even romantic relationships, to the inability to complete expected daily tasks and the other detrimental diseases that obesity triggers. The increase of insecurities, anxieties and depression-like symptoms may all be caused by obesity.

We can start to eradicate this epidemic by being aware of our diets and making policy makers aware of the shortage or expensiveness of healthy food supplies. The prices of sugar-free food, healthy dieting foods, etc. exceed that of fast food. We should avoid judging and fat-shaming persons living with obesity and we should also educate ourselves and others on the factors, effects and causes of obesity.

School canteens should be cautious about their lunch/snack menus and soft drink beverages. Students aren’t around their parents in schools, and as we know our teachers are mostly/only interested in our academic forthcomings. Start a conversation, start by sharing articles like this one and countless others out there about obesity.
All in all, we should choose to be a healthy nation, it’s the right thing to do for the future generations of Guyanese.

Our children should be approaching adulthood with a healthy dietary routine and our adults should be fit and capable (physically, emotionally and mentally) enough of completing the necessary jobs that will uplift our country. Can you imagine a Guyana where its resources are plentiful (oil, gold, agriculture) but there is not enough manual labour because of conditions such as obesity?

If we don’t start living healthier lives then, that will ultimately become our reality. What sense would it make if we have all of these resources and our people are not as healthy as they should be to enjoy its benefits?
As Winston Churchill once said, “Healthy citizens are the greatest asset a country can have.”
Take heed Guyana.