Obesity: a “silent death” threatening the health of Dominicans

Santo Domingo. – In the framework of World Obesity Day, which is commemorated every March 4, bariatric surgeon Dr. José A. García Pérez, specialist at IDA Healthcare, warned about the silent advance of obesity in the Dominican Republic, calling it one of the main public health threats of the 21st century. The specialist explained that obesity is not an aesthetic problem, but a chronic disease characterized by an excessive accumulation of body fat that represents a high risk to health, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This condition significantly increases the likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and various types of cancer. A growing reality in the Dominican Republic Recent data reflects a worrying picture. According to the World Health Organization, in 2022 around 63.3% of Dominican adults were overweight (BMI ≥ 25), while approximately 29.3% suffered from obesity (BMI ≥ 30). Furthermore, the World Obesity Atlas 2025 estimates that 68% of Dominicans have an elevated body mass index, and within that group, 32% corresponds to obesity. Projections from the same report indicate that by the year 2030, some 5.78 million Dominicans could be overweight or obese, showing sustained growth since 2010. For its part, statistics from the Ministry of Public Health and national surveys indicate that more than 60% of the adult population is overweight, and around 30% live with obesity.

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Impact on the child population The problem also significantly affects children and adolescents. Reports from the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) indicate that approximately 8% of children under five years of age are overweight or obese. In the case of students between 6 and 18 years old, the figures can exceed 30%, with higher rates recorded in private educational centers. Specialists warn that this situation increases the risk of chronic diseases in adulthood and can cause emotional consequences such as low self-esteem, anxiety, and discrimination. Determining Factors Dr. García Pérez attributes the increase in overweight and obesity to changes in eating habits and lifestyle. The frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods, sugary drinks, and fast food, coupled with a sedentary lifestyle, the excessive use of electronic devices, and the lack of adequate spaces for physical activity, have contributed to the deterioration of health indicators. Furthermore, in many homes, healthy eating has been replaced by cheaper and quicker-to-prepare options, but with low nutritional value. Impact on health and the economy Obesity not only diminishes the quality of life of those who suffer from it, but also represents a significant economic burden for the national health system. The treatment of associated diseases implies higher medical expenses, frequent hospitalizations, and a reduction in labor productivity. Prevention: a shared responsibility The specialist emphasized that combating obesity requires a joint commitment between the State, health institutions, educational centers, families, and society in general. Among the main recommendations are: • Promote a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and natural foods. • Reduce the consumption of sugars and saturated fats. • Encourage regular physical activity from childhood. • Promote permanent campaigns of nutritional education and healthy lifestyles. In that sense, World Obesity Day should serve as a call to collective awareness. "Obesity is silent, but its consequences are not," reiterated the specialist, emphasizing that recognizing the problem is the first step to facing it with responsibility, education, and social commitment. The health of Dominicans, he concluded, depends on daily decisions that can make a significant difference both in the present and in the future.