A three-day roundtable discussion on “multisectoral actions to accelerate the prevention and management of obesity in Mauritius” opened yesterday at the Ravenala Attitude hotel in Balaclava.
Organized jointly by the Ministry of Health and the WHO, the forum aims to reach a consensus on urgent actions to combat obesity in Mauritius.
Speaking on behalf of Health Minister Kailesh Jagutpal, Dr. Ori, Director of Health Services, first emphasized that the high rate of obese or overweight individuals poses a significant public health problem worldwide, including in Mauritius.
In fact, the ministry is actively engaged in raising awareness and educating the public about the risks associated with obesity.
Through ongoing initiatives such as the screening program for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the school health program, individuals identified as obese are promptly referred to dietitians for management.
He also mentioned that a referral system for physical activity has recently been introduced, allowing medical professionals to prescribe physical activity to patients with chronic diseases, while addressing environmental factors contributing to obesity.
Dr. Ori further reiterated that laws and regulations have been implemented to combat obesity, including modified dietary measures and the ban on excessively sugary beverages in schools.
These measures have led to a decrease in the prevalence of obesity from 45.5% in 2015 to 36% in 2021, and a decrease in overweight individuals from 39.4% in 2015 to 36.2% in 2021, as reported by the Mauritius Nutrition Survey 2022.
However, he emphasized the need for more coordinated efforts to prevent and manage obesity in Mauritius.
Dr. Ancia from the WHO stated that one in eight people worldwide suffers from obesity, with adolescents being the most affected.
This highlights the importance of adopting healthy eating habits and engaging in physical exercise.
She also emphasized the link between obesity and various chronic diseases, including mental health issues.
Dr. Ancia stressed the need to encourage the population and small-scale farmers to produce and cultivate fruits and vegetables, consumption of which can reduce the risk of obesity among other benefits, noting that the government provides support for this initiative.
She concluded by outlining recommendations to promote local production and effectively combat obesity in Mauritius.
Source: Le Mauricien
