Obesity in Guadeloupe is a major public health issue that affects a large part of the population, both among adults and children. Especially since one in 2 Guadeloupeans would be affected by obesity. An alarming observation which highlights the problem of a sedentary lifestyle.
The frequency of overweight among Guadeloupean adults reaches 55%, with a prevalence – the percentage of obese people in Guadeloupe – of obesity of 23%, well above the French average which is 15%.
Among children aged 5 to 14, the situation is also worrying: 23% of them are overweight and 9% suffer from obesity, compared to 3.5% in France.
These figures demonstrate a reality where obesity represents a real threat to public health.
Obesity can lead to many health problems. For example, it increases the risk of serious illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension (too high blood pressure), and even certain cancers.
It can also affect mental well-being, sometimes causing depression, anxiety, loss of self-confidence, or eating disorders such as eating too much or too little.
This problem is even more important in certain places, such as the overseas territories, therefore in Guadeloupe.
In general, people living in these regions, as well as those living in certain departments such as Hauts-de-Seine or Centre-Val de Loire, are more affected by overweight and obesity than the national average. For example, while the national average for obesity is 18.1%, in the Overseas Territories, it reaches 22.4%.
In Guadeloupe, more men are overweight, while women are more often obese. In addition, workers and employees are more affected by obesity than managers or intermediate professions.
A study conducted in 2009 found that 11.5% of children aged 3 to 15 were overweight, of which 3.7% were obese.
Another study, carried out in 2013, showed that 31% of young people aged 15 to 24 were overweight.
These figures show the importance of implementing prevention actions from an early age, such as programs to encourage healthy eating and more physical activity.
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To address this subject, Professor François Carré, cardiologist and sports doctor at Rennes University Hospital, was the guest of Christelle Théophile, in the television news “Guadeloupe Evening” of October 9, 2024.
(…) The keys and the solution are first of all to be convinced (this is not a sentence of mine) that “ my body is the only place I have to live “. If I understand that I have to take care of my body, I will live in a wonderful, heavenly place. If I don’t take care of myself, I’m going to live in a rotten place (…).
Professor François Carré, cardiologist and sports doctor Rennes University Hospital
Professor François Carré, cardiologist and sports doctor Rennes University Hospital
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