Journal of Hepatology and Gastrointestinal disorders
Open Access

The Aruba project: A road map for population approach to combating obesity

27^th World Congress on Diet, Nutrition and Obesity & 18^th World Gastroenterologists Summit

September 07-08, 2018 Auckland, New Zealand

Richard W M Visser

VERA Health Group BV, Netherlands

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Hepatol Gastroint Dis

Abstract :

Obesity as a disease has reached historical, maximal peak values, with nearly one-third of the world�??s population suffering from obesity and obesity-related conditions. We are now witnessing the impact of this epidemic upon global health status, with non-communicable diseases on the rise. We have also witnessed the shortcomings and failures of past actions taken when obesity is already present. In Aruba, a prevalence of 36% of childhood obesity was found in 2005, with a tendency to increase as compared to the data prior to 2000. Actions to improve healthy eating habits, reduce sedentary lifestyle and enable a social environment to prevent obesity were carried out in a systematic plan in the period from 2009-2013 and a positive change was observed in the incidence of obesity compatible with complete deceleration of the epidemic and improvement in health indicators. Through the lessons learned from the project as executed in Aruba, we demonstrated how a specific road map can be developed, implemented and highly successful in addressing the obesity epidemic. The roadmap includes the following steps- a population basis line study, an awareness campaign, an approved action plan by the stakeholders and government, changes in infrastructure, the creation of an institute to promote a healthy lifestyle, an introduction to the exercise is medicine initiative and a study of progress with ongoing monitoring.

Biography :

E-mail: drvisser@me.com