Obesity is profiling as a silent death that threatens the health of Dominicans, according to bariatric surgeon José A. García Pérez. On World Obesity Day, this expert launched an alert on the sustained growth of this condition in the country, which silently elevates the risks of chronic diseases.
Alarm from a Bariatric Surgery Specialist
José A. García Pérez emphasized that the silent death represented by obesity does not warn, but devastates hearts and metabolic systems. Data from the Ministry of Public Health indicate that more than 60% of Dominican adults present overweight or obesity, figures that have increased by 15% in the last decade according to national surveys of 2023. This silent death is directly associated with heart attacks, type 2 diabetes, and cancers, positioning the Dominican Republic among regional leaders in prevalence.
Factors that Feed this Silent Death
- High consumption of ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks, common in the Dominican urban diet.
- Sedentary lifestyle driven by modern lifestyles, with only 20% of the active population according to the WHO.
- Genetics and obesogenic environments, exacerbated by fast food advertising directed at children.
Historical Context and Key Statistics
Since 2010, obesity has passed from affecting 25% to 35% of the adult population, according to the National Household Survey of Multiple Purposes (ENHOGAR). The silent death takes more lives than tobacco in some age groups, with hospitals reporting a 40% increase in bariatric surgeries in the last five years. Experts from the OPS agree: without interventions, by 2030 it will surpass tobacco as the main preventable cause of mortality.
The surgeon calls for public policies such as taxes on sugary drinks, similar to Mexico, and educational campaigns in schools. Obesity does not discriminate: it affects all social classes, but hits harder in popular neighborhoods with limited access to fresh foods.
Urgent Actions Against the Silent Death
To combat this silent death, annual IMC checks, diets rich in local fruits such as bananas and mangoes, and at least 30 minutes of daily activity are recommended. Government programs like “Healthy Life” have attended thousands, but experts call for greater investment. The silent death of obesity threatens the health of Dominicans, but collective prevention can reverse it before it’s too late.
