43% of Brazilians Are Overweight / 43% dos brasileiros estão acima do peso
Tuesday, April 7th, 2009The image of Brazilians many non-Brazilians tend to get from movies, novelas, Brazilian supermodels and tourism ads (mostly for Rio de Janeiro) is that of a trim, tanned, body image-conscious people. But new research done by Brazil’s Health Ministry (MS) indicates the country actually has a growing weight problem, with all that implies to their […]
Keep Children Lean and Active, Prevent Cancer Later in Life / Prevengamos el cáncer promoviendo hoy una infancia activa
Saturday, February 7th, 2009From the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO): PAHO: “Keep Children Lean and Active, Prevent Cancer Later in Life” World Cancer Day marked with launch of “I love my healthy, active childhood” global campaign Establishing healthy habits early in life—particularly eating well and being active—is critical to lowering cancer rates in adulthood, experts from the Pan […]
Obesity Among Mexican School Children
Friday, January 2nd, 2009In a prior post I discussed how growing concern about weight problems among Mexican children is leading to calls there for restrictions on the advertising and marketing of certain foods and beverages to children. A recent National Public Health Institute (INSP) survey of children in Mexico’s public schools details the dimensions of the problem (the […]
Diabetes: La OPS insta a luchar contra la obesidad y la malnutrición
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008Synopsis in English: 14 November was World Diabetes Day. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) used the occasion to renew its call on the nations of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) to step up the fight against obesity and malnutrition, with particular attention on infants and children. The key is a healthier diet (less […]
OPS prevé aumento de 150% en casos de diabetes en las Américas / Diabetes cases may increase 150% in the Americas
Tuesday, October 7th, 2008Synopsis in English: 14 November is World Diabetes Day, and the news coming out of the annual meeting of the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) top body suggests that every country in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) should observe it seriously and soberly. PAHO says that obesity and diabetes in the Americas is reaching […]
Brazil: Government & Industry Discuss Changes in Processed Foods
Monday, August 11th, 2008Synopsis in English: Brazil’s Health Minister, José Gomes Temporão, has launched an open and public dialog with Brazil’s food industry about lowering the salt, sugar and trans-fat levels of the processed foods that they offer to the Brazilian market. Temporão revealed that a Ministry study suggests that up to 260,000 Brazilian deaths every year could […]
Argentina Lurches Toward an Obesity Law…
Monday, August 11th, 2008By all accounts, Argentina’s Senate will pass an “obesity law” this coming week. If President Cristina Fernandez signs it, Argentina will become the first Latin American or Caribbean (LAC) country to adopt a national law or regulation directly addressing the issue. [Some Brazilian states have laws on aspects of the issue, and several nations currently […]
Diabetes Along the Mexican Border
Monday, November 5th, 2007Pop Quiz: What's the leading cause of death in Mexico and the third leading cause of death among Mexicans living along the US border? Diabetes, more specifically, type 2 diabetes. Don't worry. I didn't know the answer either (blush) until I read this just-released report from the US Centers for Diasease Control (CDC), the Mexican […]