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The facts are clear: One in three Caribbean children experiences overweight or obesity, and obesity continues to be a major driver of the leading non-communicable diseases (NCDs)—cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes—that plague our region. 

As we observe World Obesity Day, this year’s theme demands urgent attention to the systems that contribute to obesity and other NCDs—systems (health systems, food systems, physical activity infrastructure, accountability systems) that must be reformed to protect the health of current and future generations.

This urgency comes at a critical time. Later this year, global leaders will gather for the UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs and Mental Health, a pivotal opportunity to review progress, identify gaps, and accelerate action on NCDs ahead of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) deadline. 

How much longer must we wait for health-centered policies and interventions?

It has been 18 years since the Port of Spain Declaration to Stop the Epidemic of Chronic Diseases, which affirmed: 

“​​…the main recommendations of the Caribbean Commission on Health and Development, which included strategies to prevent and control heart disease, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and cancer in the region by addressing their causal risk factors—unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and alcohol abuse—and strengthening our health services.” 

Since then, CARICOM Heads of Government have made additional commitments: 

• 2016 (37th Regular Meeting): Pledged to ban advertisements of harmful foods targeting children and increase taxes on foods high in sugar, salt, and trans fats.
• 2017 (38th CARICOM Summit): Marking the 10-year anniversary of the Port of Spain Declaration, leaders recognized childhood obesity as the greatest threat to the health of future generations, with over 30% of primary and secondary school children experiencing overweight or obesity in many member states.
• 2018 (39th CARICOM Summit): Endorsed priorities for the 3rd UN High-Level Meeting on NCDs, including:

• Implementing policies to prevent childhood obesity
• Creating health-promoting school environments
• Mandating Front-of-Package (FOP) labeling

Yet, progress remains slow. 

Fueled by this urgency, Healthy Caribbean Youth, in collaboration with Fi We Children Foundation, The youth advocates from the Barbados Childhood Obesity Prevention Coalition (the youth arm of the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados), Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN), The Jamaica Health Advocates-Youth Arm (the youth arm of the Heart Foundation of Jamaica) and Let’s Unpack It penned and delivered a letter to CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett, outlining key priorities ahead of the 2025 UN High-Level Meeting. CARICOM Youth Ambassador Ashley Lashley played a critical role in facilitating and partnering on this intervention. Some of the priorities outlined in the letter include Healthy school policies (regulating the sale and marketing of ultra-processed products and increasing access to physical activity) and strengthening support for youth agripreneurs and youth mental health support. 

The letter also received support from other youth health advocates who strongly believe in the priorities outlined in the letter including the Diabetes Association Youth Advocacy Arm (Diabetes Association of Trinidad and Tobago), the Youth Lake Health and Wellbeing Advocates (Youth Health Advocates of Lake Health and Wellbeing, St Kitts and Nevis), the St. Lucia Diabetes and Hypertension Association Youth Arm, the Diabetes Foundation for Youth and the Dominica Cancer Society Youth Arm.

The urgency of the coming months was also underscored in a recent article - Fourth Time a Charm?—How to Make the UN High-Level Meeting on Noncommunicable Diseases Effective - by Sir George Alleyne, Dr. Awa Coll-Seck, Dr. Thomas Friedman and The Honourable Christopher Tufton, which concludes: 

“The clock is ticking. The preparatory process for the 2025 meeting is well underway and should engage all of society. All who care about health should demand a meaningful, actionable declaration.” 

The time to band together and demand more is now for action on obesity and other NCDs. How much longer will we have to wait?

ACTION: Systems Change

Strengthening Systems for Healthier Lives: Tackling Obesity in the Caribbean

World Obesity Day, March 2025

Offniel Lamont is a public health advocate with Healthy Caribbean Coalition/Youth (HCC/HCY) and a registered physiotherapist (MSc in Sports Medicine, Exercise & Health)

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. 

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.

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.

Obesity and Climate Change in the Caribbean

Offniel Lamont featured in the Trinidad & Tobago Guardian

March 4 marks World Obesity Day. This year's theme, "Changing Systems: Healthier Lives;" highlights the urgent need to address obesity's root causes. Climate change, an often overlooked factor, worsens obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Caribbean. Rising temperatures, shifting food systems, and urbnanisation contribute to declining physical activity (PA) and unhealthy diets. Tackling obesity requires systemic change, integrating climate resilience into public health policies.

The Climate-Obesity Connection

Obesity rates in the Caribbean are alarming. Over 50 per cent of adults are overweight or obese, and childhood obesity has doubled over three decades. In Latin America and the Caribbean, 8.6 per cent of children under five were overweight in 2022, surpassing the global average of 5.6 per cent.

HCC Webinar: Changing Systems, Healthier Lives: The Caribbean Journey to the UN High Level Meeting

Thursday March 13th 2025 | 10:00AM - 11:30PM AST

The Healthy Caribbean Coalition will be presenting its advocacy priorities for CARICOM leaders to consider ahead of the UN High Level meeting - the advocacy priorities challenge the existing systems.

Our Healthy Caribbean Youth Will Also Be Sharing Their Perspective on the World Obesity Theme This Year

PAHO: The webinar will highlight the urgent need for scalable, evidence-based interventions and discuss key initiatives with experts, policymakers, and advocates.

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World Obesity Day Over the Years

Resources:

• Global Obesity Observatory
• Our Health Our Right
• Policy and Legislative Guidance for Regulating the Availability and Marketing of Unhealthy Beverages and Food Products in and around Schools in the Caribbean
• Safeguarding Public Health Nutrition in the Caribbean During Emergencies: Guidelines for Managing Donations From the Commercial Sector
• Landscape Analysis of the Regulation of Trans Fatty Acids in Selected CARICOM Countries