THE phenomenal rise in the prevalence of obesity in Guyana is a wake-up call that has to be sounded by all components of society by taking immediate action and attention.
As we observe World Obesity Day 2025 with the motto “Changing Systems, Healthier Lives,” our nation is undoubtedly facing a crisis of public health of unprecedented scale.

The figures are astronomical. By the end of the current year, over a third of Guyanese women and one-fifth of men will be obese, and even our children are no longer immune to this scourge.
This rise in obesity is not all about appearance; it’s an actual threat to the health and life expectancy of our people. Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), fuelled by obesity, are already the leading cause of death in Guyana, responsible for an eye-watering 68 per cent of all deaths in 2016.

The drivers behind the trend are easy to see. Our food environment has transformed completely, with processed food and fast food more prevalent. Combined with increasingly sedentary lifestyles, we’ve created a perfect storm of weight gain and adverse outcomes.
Though the government’s actions in addressing this crisis, for example, public campaigns and BMI education are to be welcomed, we must ask ourselves: is it enough? The time has come for more drastic measures.

Among them, urban planning must continue to facilitate the creation of green spaces and walking paths to encourage physical activity. Schools must mandate physical education every day and offer only healthy food options. Businesses must be incentivized to provide wellness programmes and standing desks.

But government action is not sufficient. We must all take personal responsibility for our own health. We must make conscious choices to limit our intake of processed foods, increase our fruit and vegetable consumption, and incorporate regular exercise into our daily routines.
The Guyanese epidemic of obesity is not only a health issue but a fiscal one as well. The expense of treating diseases of obesity threatens to devour our healthcare system and drain funds that could otherwise be invested in development elsewhere.

As Dr. Frank Anthony so rightly points out, combating obesity and the NCD burden must be a collaborative effort from the government, private sector, and individuals. It’s time for Guyana to move beyond awareness and into action. Our future as a healthy, productive nation is in the decisions we make today.

It begins with each and every one of us. Let us pledge to make the lifestyle changes we must make in our own lives and insist on the systemic changes that our society demands. Only then can we reasonably expect to reverse this disturbing trend and create a healthier, more resilient future for all Guyanese.