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BiggerObesity crisis in Dominican Republic sparks rise in bariatric treatments
Santo Domingo.- At the 25th International Congress of the Northern Medical Union Clinic, alarming statistics were shared: 32% of Dominicans are obese and 70% are overweight, prompting increased interest in bariatric surgery and medical weight-loss treatments. Experts warned that obesity heightens the risk of over 230 diseases and 14 types of cancer, especially when lifestyle changes prove difficult or ineffective.
Specialists, including bariatric surgeons and nutritionists, emphasized that surgery is often the only solution for patients with severe weight-related health conditions. Available procedures in the Dominican Republic include the gastric balloon, gastric sleeve, endoscopic gastroplasty, and adjustable gastric band. However, strict eligibility criteria exclude individuals with psychiatric disorders or those unable to follow up medically.
The congress emphasized the need for a multidisciplinary medical approach and reaffirmed that healthy eating, physical activity, and avoiding harmful habits remain the best strategies for prevention. The event also featured panels on various medical topics and honored several physicians for their contributions to healthcare.
Let’s start with implementing healthy lunches in both public and private schools, get rid of junk food and make physical education a requirement for ALL youth.
Only the rich will be able to afford the bariatric treatments through private insurance or out of pocket. Do not think the government will subsidize treatments on a grand scale for the poor who may have greatest need for help. A reasonable approach by government to assist the poor is to force lower consumer prices so they can access a larger variety of healthy foods.
Education is the best all-around approach. Visits to barrios by diet and medical professionals to educate residents of proper diet and health activities would be a help. Food handouts would be nice lure, but then they create crowd control problems.