Journal of Obesity & Weight Loss Therapy
Open Access

Abstract

In Cuba, children and adolescents are involved in the worldwide epidemic of obesity. High consumption of sugar is an important risk factor. Sedentary lifestyle is higher in girls than in boys from urban and rural areas and consequently excess body weight and adiposity. They walk freely down the street to the school but while boys play at the street or in parks girls stay indoors at less demanding games. The responsibility for achieve overweight problem is support by government. The actions are carrying on by different sectors and coordinated by Ministry of Public Health. The Center of Nutrition and Food Hygiene and the Center for Health Promotion and Education developed national programs to improve Cuban food culture and physical activity. These activities are carrying out at primary level through nutritionists and health promoters. Ministry of Education and National Sport and Recreation Institute engage in the strength of the programs of Physical Education and Sports in schools. Media do not carry out advertising about unhealthy foods on the contrary TV and radio show spots and programs about healthy food habits and the importance of physical activity. The challenge is strong. At this moment, non-communicable diseases contribute to 76% of all deaths. All three National Surveys on Risk Factors and Chronic Diseases (1995, 2001 and 2010) that covered the population older than fifteen years showed that overweight (31, 43 and 45%) is a growing health problem and is an important factor in increasing diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases in Cuba.

Biography

Email: cmacias@infomed.sld.cu