Latin America's poor will be worst hit by obesity

Subject

Latin America's most serious health challenge -- obesity.

Significance

The growth of obesity in Latin America has made the issue one of the most important in the region. More than half of the population is overweight to some degree, according to the standards established by the World Health Organization (WHO). As a result, governments have had to take action to address the problem and its effects, which are putting health systems in a state of financial crisis.

Impacts

• Demand for treatment for non-communicable diseases will increase regionwide, placing a strain on health budgets.
• Increasing pressures on health budgets may encourage further privatisation of services.
• High revenues make any repeal of Mexico's sugar tax extremely unlikely despite pressure from industry bodies.