Overweight and obesity

The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity worldwide, including in our country, poses a significant public health problem for the following reasons:

  1. Associated Diseases: Overweight and obesity can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, strokes, and various types of cancer. They can also affect joints and the reproductive system.
  2. Impact on Quality of Life: Obesity can influence aspects of quality of life such as sleep and movement, and it even affects the mental health of those affected.
  3. Growing Prevalence: In 2022, one in eight people worldwide was obese. Since 1990, obesity has doubled among adults globally and quadrupled among adolescents. In Peru, nearly 70% of adults are overweight or obese.
  4. Economic Costs: Overweight and obesity generate significant economic costs for affected individuals and healthcare systems. These problems are estimated to have a total cost of 4.32 trillion US dollars, equivalent to 3% of global GDP.
  5. Health Inequalities: While around 700 million people worldwide still suffer from hunger, overweight and obesity, along with their link to non-communicable diseases, continue to advance alarmingly.

Given this concerning situation, addressing the problem requires effective public health policies, promoting healthy lifestyles, and ensuring access to quality medical care for all.

In Peru, the Healthy Food Law aims to tackle this issue by regulating information about ingredients in processed foods. There is growing evidence of the relationship between increased consumption of these foods and rising overweight and obesity rates.

PERUSAN’s proposal includes increasing vegetable and fruit consumption in the diet, emphasizing variety and diversity. This requires massive campaigns promoting healthy eating, enhancing and expanding school interventions on nutrition through the Ministry of Education (MINEDU), and ensuring that foods distributed in social programs like Qali Warma and Cuna Más include vegetables and fruits, preferably sourced from family farmers.