West Indian populations face significant health challenges, with higher rates of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes compared to other regions. Obesity is a pivotal risk factor for these chronic diseases, with alarming obesity rates observed among both men and women in the region. Addressing these lifestyle-related health issues is crucial as they result in increased medical costs and decreased productivity for Caribbean citizens.

1. Diet-related HealthDiet-related Health
ProblemsProblems

2. Your Health isYour Health is
your Greatestyour Greatest
WealthWealth
-- HippocratesHippocrates

3. What is HEALTHWhat is HEALTH??
HEALTH is …….HEALTH is …….
Not just an absence ofNot just an absence of
diseasedisease
But a state of Physical,But a state of Physical,
Mental and SpiritualMental and Spiritual
WellbeingWellbeing
-- World Health OrganizationWorld Health Organization

4. Real Health =Real Health =
WELLNESSWELLNESS

5. Wellness is notWellness is not……....

6. BIG PROBLEMBIG PROBLEM
Medical research highlights a sad truth:Medical research highlights a sad truth:
West Indian men and women suffer moreWest Indian men and women suffer more
heart attacks, cancers and strokes andheart attacks, cancers and strokes and
have a higher incidence of diabetes andhave a higher incidence of diabetes and
hypertension than any other people in thehypertension than any other people in the
world.world.

7. The 3 Major KillersThe 3 Major Killers
HEART DISEASEHEART DISEASE
CANCERCANCER
STROKESTROKE
LIFESTYLE RELATED DISORDERS

8. CHRONIC NON-COMMUNICABLECHRONIC NON-COMMUNICABLE
DISEASESDISEASES
#1KILLER?#1KILLER?
HEART DISEASE!HEART DISEASE!
Other Leading causes of deathOther Leading causes of death
CancerCancer
Diabetes (Sugar)Diabetes (Sugar)
StrokeStroke
Hypertension (The silent killer!)Hypertension (The silent killer!)

9. DIABETES / OBESITY = DIABESITYDIABETES / OBESITY = DIABESITY

10. BESITYBESITY
OO

11. OBESITYOBESITY
A CHRONIC NON-COMMUNICABLEA CHRONIC NON-COMMUNICABLE
DISEASEDISEASE
A risk factor for all other chronic non-A risk factor for all other chronic non-
communicable diseases.communicable diseases.
MALNUTRITIONMALNUTRITION
UndernutritionUndernutrition
OvernutritionOvernutrition
(OBESITY)(OBESITY)

12. OBESITY
=

13. OBESITY KILLS
YOUNG WOMAN in INTENSIVE CARE
At age 32, she weighs 419 pounds and suffers from
diabetes, high blood pressure and a host of other
ailments.

14. Obesity - a Key factor in manyObesity - a Key factor in many
diseasesdiseases
OBESITY
Elevated
Cholesterol
Diabetes
High Blood
Pressure
Depression
Digestive
Complaints
Arthritis
Fatigue
Surgical
Complications
Asthma
Gall Stones
Some CancersHeart
Disease Stroke

15. BIG PROBLEMBIG PROBLEM
60% of West Indian men and60% of West Indian men and
78% of West Indian women78% of West Indian women
are overweight.are overweight.
About 30% of West IndianAbout 30% of West Indian
men and over 50% of Westmen and over 50% of West
Indian women are obese.Indian women are obese.

16. Many symptoms - one diseaseMany symptoms - one disease
• Abdominal obesity
• High Blood Pressure
• Blood sugar imbalance
• Heart disease
• High cholesterol
* Circulation problems
* Hormone imbalance

17. PortionPortion
SizesSizes
havehave
GG
RR
OO
WW
NN

18. TRUNCAL OBESITYTRUNCAL OBESITY

19. Increased CaloriesIncreased Calories
Classic ColaClassic Cola
8 fluid oz8 fluid oz
100
kcal1950
Fast food Cola
52 fluid oz
2008
630
kcal

20. We are digging our graves
with our teeth !

21. Heart DiseaseHeart Disease

22. HEART DISEASEHEART DISEASE
The # 1 killerThe # 1 killer
LifestyleLifestyle
relatedrelated
90%90%
preventablepreventable
Medicine treatsMedicine treats
mostlymostly
symptomssymptoms

23. Heart Disease in the CaribbeanHeart Disease in the Caribbean
 30% higher mortality among30% higher mortality among
West IndiansWest Indians
 70% higher among black70% higher among black
females when compared tofemales when compared to
Indian & white femalesIndian & white females

24. ANCERANCER
CC

25. CancerCancer
BecomingBecoming
the #1 killer;the #1 killer;
Creates mostCreates most
fear andfear and
sufferingsuffering
Life styleLife style
relatedrelated
OftenOften
PreventablePreventable

26. CANCER STATISTICS:CANCER STATISTICS:
 SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATHSECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH
 OVER HALF A MILLION DEATHS FROMOVER HALF A MILLION DEATHS FROM
CANCER ANNUALLY IN AMERICACANCER ANNUALLY IN AMERICA
 OVER 1,500 PEOPLE DIE EVERY DAYOVER 1,500 PEOPLE DIE EVERY DAY
 ONE PERSON DIES EVERY 55 SECONDSONE PERSON DIES EVERY 55 SECONDS
 A NEW CASE EVERY 3O SECONDSA NEW CASE EVERY 3O SECONDS
 $20 BILLION + SPENT ON RESEARCH$20 BILLION + SPENT ON RESEARCH
 NO RELIABLE CURENO RELIABLE CURE

27. Cancer in Caribbean peopleCancer in Caribbean people
 West IndiansWest Indians
30% more30% more
likely to dielikely to die
from cancerfrom cancer
 Black menBlack men
have 150%have 150%
higher risk ofhigher risk of
prostateprostate
cancercancer

28. STROKE = BRAIN ATTACKSTROKE = BRAIN ATTACK
A severe disabilityA severe disability
Life style relatedLife style related
PreventablePreventable

29. Strokes in Caribbean PeopleStrokes in Caribbean People
West Indians 40% more likely toWest Indians 40% more likely to
die from strokesdie from strokes

30. Impact of these health problemsImpact of these health problems
on Caribbean citizenson Caribbean citizens
These health problems negativelyThese health problems negatively
impact the of Caribbean citizensimpact the of Caribbean citizens
because:because:
 More money is spent on health billsMore money is spent on health bills
 There is lower productivityThere is lower productivity
Can you think of any other?Can you think of any other?