Samuel
Thu, Oct-20-05, 21:13
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/20/AR2005102000894.html
Most Puerto Ricans Deemed Obese
The Associated Press
Thursday, October 20, 2005; 10:39 AM
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Obesity among Puerto Ricans has reached epidemic levels, affecting 62 percent of the island's population, the government's top health official said.
The figure represents a 17-percent increase over the level of obesity recorded nearly a decade ago in the U.S. Caribbean territory of 4 million people, according to the island's Health Department.
Health Secretary Rosa Perez Perdomo said Tuesday a diet heavy in fat and sugar combined with an inactive lifestyle was behind the increase, which she warned could lead to a spike in cases of diabetes and hypertension.
Puerto Rico has the eighth highest level of obesity among U.S. states and territories, according to federal statistics.
The data was released as part of a government campaign dubbed the "National Crusade Against Obesity," which seeks reduce the number of overweight Puerto Ricans by 20 percent over the next four years.
A 2001 study found only 17 percent of islanders performed regular exercise, and that just a quarter of the population had more than five servings of fruit and vegetables per day.
Most Puerto Ricans Deemed Obese
The Associated Press
Thursday, October 20, 2005; 10:39 AM
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- Obesity among Puerto Ricans has reached epidemic levels, affecting 62 percent of the island's population, the government's top health official said.
The figure represents a 17-percent increase over the level of obesity recorded nearly a decade ago in the U.S. Caribbean territory of 4 million people, according to the island's Health Department.
Health Secretary Rosa Perez Perdomo said Tuesday a diet heavy in fat and sugar combined with an inactive lifestyle was behind the increase, which she warned could lead to a spike in cases of diabetes and hypertension.
Puerto Rico has the eighth highest level of obesity among U.S. states and territories, according to federal statistics.
The data was released as part of a government campaign dubbed the "National Crusade Against Obesity," which seeks reduce the number of overweight Puerto Ricans by 20 percent over the next four years.
A 2001 study found only 17 percent of islanders performed regular exercise, and that just a quarter of the population had more than five servings of fruit and vegetables per day.