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Almost 40% of adults between 25-64 years in VI are obese- Health Minister

- said assessment showed 44% of primary school children are overweight & obese
According to the territory’s last assessment by STEPS Risk Factor Survey, almost 40% of adults between the ages of 25-64 years in the [British] Virgin Islands are obese. Photo: medspace.com
Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) in a statement on World Obesity Day observed March 4, 2024, said sedentary lifestyles play a significant role in the high obesity rates in the Virgin Islands. Photo: GIS/File
Minister for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) in a statement on World Obesity Day observed March 4, 2024, said sedentary lifestyles play a significant role in the high obesity rates in the Virgin Islands. Photo: GIS/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- “Beyond the sun-kissed beaches and colorful culture, our BVI community grapples with the far-reaching consequences of obesity, a health issue that extends beyond individual well-being.”

This is according to Minster for Health and Social Development Hon Vincent O. Wheatley (R9) in a statement on World Obesity Day observed on March 4, 2024.

Overweight & obesity problem in primary schools

Hon Wheatley disclosed that the territory’s last assessment by STEPS Risk Factor Survey revealed that almost 40% of adults between the ages of 25-64 years are obese.

The Health Minister said the VI is even seeing the far-reaching hands of obesity at the primary school level, as a 2023 school health assessment indicated that 44% of primary school children are overweight and obese.

"That very scary statistic leaves us to ask the questions how and why? In my opinion, we are becoming more dependent on processed foods, which are usually high in sugars and salt, coupled with inactivity and unhealthy choices that are predisposing our children to obesity at an extremely early age.

“The impact is profound on our health systems, our economy, and most importantly, on the lives of our people. Non-communicable diseases linked to obesity, such as Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular issues, have become all too common, casting a shadow on the vitality of our community.”

‘We drive everywhere’

Hon Wheatley said sedentary lifestyles play a significant role in the high obesity rates. “Long ago, our forefathers spent their days tilling the soil, walking to their destinations, and eating fresh food from the ground, sea or yard. 

“Fast forward to today, we drive everywhere, even if it is within walking distance. This shift in our way of living has taken a toll on our bodies, increasing our susceptibility to obesity and other non-communicable diseases.”

‘Let’s talk about obesity and...’

The Theme for World Obesity Day 2024 was “Let’s talk about obesity and…”  

According to Hon Wheatley, this theme “empowers us to have dynamic conversations at every level across the lifecycle. The impact of obesity on Virgin Islanders is a topic that calls for our immediate attention and collective action.”

He said tackling obesity involves reshaping policies, promoting access to nutritious foods, and creating environments that encourage physical activity. Equally important, Hon Wheatley said, is the need to foster a culture of understanding and support, where individuals feel empowered to make healthier choices for themselves and their families.

34 Responses to “Almost 40% of adults between 25-64 years in VI are obese- Health Minister”

  • Wig (05/03/2024, 15:24) Like (16) Dislike (4) Reply
    U all could’ve posted a better photo lol
    That wiggy is too obvious
    • BVI company now working in England (05/03/2024, 15:49) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
      https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/03/05/east-sussex-pothole-repair-lasts-nine-days-before-crumbling/
    • malone (05/03/2024, 18:12) Like (16) Dislike (4) Reply
      All of the blasted roads in the bvi bad , why dont study and fix that
  • Big Richard (05/03/2024, 15:24) Like (15) Dislike (4) Reply
    Time to open up a diabetic treatment and kidney dialysis center and make a killing. (pun intended)
  • FIRE (05/03/2024, 15:44) Like (25) Dislike (6) Reply
    Wearing 3peace suits up and down in hot weather is also an abuse to the human body.
  • True (05/03/2024, 15:44) Like (34) Dislike (1) Reply
    Black peoples, we eat too much.
    And bad food, big plates of rice and meat.
    • @True (06/03/2024, 10:37) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      There are other people in different races that eat that way too.
      • @@True (06/03/2024, 11:37) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
        To @@True, if is about us, not about other races and what they do. Let’s stop the rationalizing of our bad dietary behavior. Let’s take care of ourselves/our help.
  • better (05/03/2024, 15:50) Like (32) Dislike (6) Reply
    Pay people better and they may be able to eat better, the best foods are extremely expensive only the rich people can afford them.
    • @ People (05/03/2024, 23:01) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
      Hey Fattie.. The " best " foods you c a n plant grow and grow in your yard for pennies
      • El Demonio Negro (06/03/2024, 08:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        lol @ hey FATTIE LOLOLOL no response either LOLOLOL you nailed it.
  • Lawd (05/03/2024, 15:56) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    I fall within that range!
  • true but.... (05/03/2024, 16:13) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    you are using a scale that is more than 200yr old to measure obesity. I went down to a 36" waist and 48" chest and was still obese on the scale so its a corrupt system that is flawed. But yes lots of chubbies around and you all selebrate it was the fat and full of it comepetition sorry i meant Bold & Beautiful
  • Common Sense (05/03/2024, 16:44) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Before we allow ourselves to get too depressed, black fenale society in the US Southern states are 80% obese, and, like here, it is the diet. Processed food, fried and heavily carbohydrate meals are the root cause, and, that is what’s hitting the children. The government could assist greatly by spelling out healthy diet ingredients, and, disprove the fallacy that healthy foods are expensive, they are the total opposite. Fresh vegetables, fruits, chicken and pork are not expensive, whereas red meats that contribute to obesity are. Sugar, salt and non diet sodas exacerbate the problem, and, they are heavily consumed in the islands. The health department can do a great deal to educate the public on dealing with this problem and ultimately save many lives in doing so.
    • @ Common Sense (05/03/2024, 21:34) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      Good advice. Also eat meals regularly. Minimize junk food snacks in between And, start exercising regularly.
  • GateKeeper (05/03/2024, 17:50) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    The (British) Virgin Islands (VI) are in a health crisis, which if not urgently addressed will turn into a costly hyper-crisis not only in cost, but also in weighing the already burdened health system down, along with the quality of life of residents. VI residents , the majority of whom are of African descent,,are afflicted with chronic diseases, viz, diabetes ( sugar in local lingo), high blood pressure/ hypertension ( pressure in local lingo), obesity, etc. The root of most of these chronic ailments are rooted in slavery, where slaves were fed a poor diet laden with sugar, salt, fat, etc..The consequences of this poor diet were passed to slave descendants and is one of the pathologies of legacy of slavery . Nevertheless, VI residents must take charge and manage their health.

    Moreover , Virgin Islanders of the 1930, 1940, 1950s, etc grow up on relatively organic foods, ie, fresh meat, fish, locally grown vegetables, fruits, etc . However, starting in the 1960s, Virgin Islanders started to abandoned the local lifestyle and adopt the lifestyle of the US and other external countries. They VI started growing less food, showing an indifference to agriculture; working in agriculture acquire a stigma. Further, they started favoring imported food which are laded in salt, fat, sugar and calories. Consequently, if the stats have a high level of confidence, 40% of VI residents are obese. This is a change.

    In conversing with some older Virgin Islanders on a myriad of topics , including obesity, they opined that during their school days growing up they hardly knew anyone who was obese. The VI has travelled a long way to getting unhealthy and getting back to being healthy will be long road back but must be done.

    Unequivocally, an unhealthy nation is a national issue and can become a national security, etc. Moreover, an unhealthy nation definitely puts a strain on a small medical system and is costly. Politicians have a habit of kicking the can down the road, hoping to pin the burden on sucessors. Well, this can is out of road to be kicked; it is jammed at the base of the wall. There is an urgency, a firrce urgency of now to tackle this national issue head on. Human capital is the VI most important resource and it must be treated as such.
    • Mustang (06/03/2024, 07:09) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      To GateKeeper, “ .The consequences of this poor diet were passed to slave descendants and is one of the pathologies of legacy of slavery . Nevertheless, VI residents must take charge and manage their health.” Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor of the UWI, and Chairman of Caricom Reparation Committee,,notes in a speech that most Caribbean people over the age of are either diabetic, hypertensive or both, and they are the sickest and most unhealthy people in the world. He attributes and links the chronic health conditions to the legacy of slavery. Virgin Islanders must pay serious attention to their health. As you noted, poor health, ie, high rate of obesity, is a national issue. The VI must make this an all hands on deck effort to arrest this crisis.
  • WOW (05/03/2024, 18:42) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    People are afraid to walk for anyone to see them for fear yhey would be looked do upon as being poor or cannot afforf a car
    The scoff at those who eat provisions - it is poor food and gobble down the processed foor what do you think
    • LEM (06/03/2024, 12:13) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      People don’t walk because you take your life in your hands! I walk a lot and driver don’t give you an inch. We need sidewalks!
  • spin (05/03/2024, 19:59) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    It would be better to report the percentage of healthy people in the 25-64 age group which is likely only 10% of the population. The other 90% are unhealthy due to obesity, poor diet, chronic problems(diabetes, etc), high blood pressure, lack of education, illiteracy, mental challenges, birth defects, sight/smell/hearing/speaking difficulty, depression, dementia, etc.

  • Sick (05/03/2024, 21:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    absolutely disgusting. yukk
  • yeah (05/03/2024, 22:48) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
    Big Girls need love too...
  • Oh yeah (05/03/2024, 22:57) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    If they could park their car on their balcony rather than l eave it ten paces away in their yard.
  • round rock (06/03/2024, 03:25) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is a fair assessment done by the Ministry of Helth. It is not the minister's fault. Rather, I want to urge people to take their health issues very seriously. Some people eat their way to the grave. Those persons who are criticizing the minister for not doing his job, have gotten an awaking and it is time to act on his advice. Well, done Department of Health and Minister Wheatley. Who the cap fits, let them wear it.
  • Not Just the BVI (06/03/2024, 06:30) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Any where I travelled the women young and old has a extra large stomach, men too, men are not that bad..The truth is from my travelling the BVI is not that bad...those from the windward Islands are really bad..Terrible.
  • Roger Burnett (06/03/2024, 06:38) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Fifty years ago I had no difficulty in finding lithe models for the paintings and sculptures in my series "Daughters of the Caribbean Sun. I found them working on the land, bathing in the rivers, or walking to their place of work.

    But alas, I now search in vain.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQHxQkiwVIE
  • FEO GOMEZ (06/03/2024, 08:56) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply

    Mind home girl in the picture don't sue for making her the mascot of the article lol cause that's a>>>>.

  • requirement (06/03/2024, 15:07) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    BVI should require all police officers to be in shape. You see dem fat people in uniform? No wonder they can't catch running criminals. How about those ladies at Labour? They must be miserable. Really...BVI get in shape.
  • Ghost (09/03/2024, 07:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Obesity of our people should be concerning, but what is really being done about it? Perhaps there should be monthly community health talks by our Nutritionists. This can help. Even if you reach 1-still good. One thing that has always baffled me is seeing obese health care workers such as nurses and doctors. Our body tells us when we’ve eaten enough, but we don’t always listen. Buying food to cook at home or in restaurants is a personal choice . The onus is on us the individual to make healthier choices. We all know, but do we listen!…Sadly some of us listen when health issues come knocking on our doors. “Prevention is better than cure”
    • Quiet Warrior (07/07/2024, 10:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Indeed, some officers are overweight and out of shape. The RVIPF should be disciplined organization, serving and protecting. Its discipline, appearance, etc, should set an example for the residents it serves and protect..
  • Hmmmm (09/03/2024, 07:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Big sweaty and rubbing is a fire hazard...yet instead of doing anything about y'all blame whitey and flaunt it.weird and disgusting.Yeah just saying morning is asking alot from them worthless selves


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