Cases\nhave tripled over the past four decades, and the condition now affects more\nthan 24% of people in the region, equivalent to over 100 million individuals,\nwith obesity levels that amount to a serious problem of economic development\nand health, both physical and mental. Parallel to this, in recent years there\nhas been a considerable increase in poverty that has led to increased malnutrition.\nWhat are the reasons for these events? How can there be an increase in obesity and<\/em>\nmalnutrition at the same time? <\/p>\n\n\n\n First of all, it is worth\nmentioning that our food habits have changed radically. We see the effects of\nglobalization on our plates in the form of highly processed, sugary foods that\nhave brought us to the grave situation we are experiencing today. We need to\ngain awareness of what we eat, be concerned about our health, and learn to\ninvest time and money in our diet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In combination with the\nchange to our diet, technology has taken over our lives. We spend an increasing\namount of time looking at screens and a decreasing amount doing exercise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Obesity is a pervasive problem in our society, and its root cause is the energy imbalance between calories consumed and spent, influenced by socioeconomic problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We are leaving a rather\nbleak outlook for the coming generations, and we have to act quickly, as this epidemiological\ndisease has grown 400% in the last four decades. In addition, COVID-19 deepened\nthis crisis: children and teenagers have been affected by school closures, not\nonly keeping them out of spaces for leisure and physical activity, but also out\nof school meals programs. But the same has happened with adults, who had to\nshut themselves away in their homes for long periods, full of work and a lot of\nuncertainty, two variables that add to anxiety and do little to help those\nsuffering from obesity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In one of our\ninvestigations in which we interviewed patients and professionals in the\nsector, we found that the average age of patients with class-2 obesity is 35 to\n45, and most of them have been obese since they were young. Obese people\ngenerally do not see a doctor until they feel they have hit bottom, as most\nthink that what happens to them is their own fault because of their lack of\nwillpower, and that medicine cannot offer them a solution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Obesity affects the\npatient’s self-esteem, physical and emotional well-being, social dynamics, and\ncareer, and is a gateway to other pathologies. In order to prevent it we need a\nhealthy diet combined with regular daily exercise. People whose genetics make\nthem unable to control the disease on their own have various types of bariatric\nsurgery options that are highly effective for losing weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The WHO has conducted\nseveral investigations into this issue, and the FAO has looked at nutrition in\ndetail. Both organizations found a common denominator in relation to a\nhealthful diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The key is in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition to a healthful\ndiet, some years ago science and technology joined forces to help people\nsuffering from this serious illness by creating medical devices to help with\nweight-loss diets. All these devices are fitted by specialists in\ngastroenterology and bariatric surgery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Bariatric surgery includes a range of surgical procedures depending on the pathology of the patient, but in all cases its impact is to reduce the size of the stomach to produce satiety. It is currently one of the most recommended options for addressing class-2 obesity or higher. It also considerably improves the patient\u2019s quality of life, as it brings about real changes in the digestive system, achieving weight loss as well as the ability to maintain it over time. The success of this kind of procedure is proven when it comes to weight loss, but it can also bring patients other benefits, including lowering glycemia, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, as well as improving sleep quality (as it can reduce or eliminate sleep apnea entirely) and reducing of the workload placed on the heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The downside of this kind\nof surgery are the potential side effects, including injuries to the intestine\nor stomach, vomiting, constipation, and low blood-sugar levels. However,\naccording to our research, patients themselves see more positive aspects than\nnegative ones, as their quality of life is infinitely better after the operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/globalhealthintelligence.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/the_impact_of_obesity_in_latin_america_graphic_en_01.gif\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nA persistent, harmful problem<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Recommendations for Maintaining a Healthful Diet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Another Slimming Option<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Bariatric](\"https:\/\/globalhealthintelligence.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/the_impact_of_obesity_in_latin_america_secundaria.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe Four Types of Bariatric Surgery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Next Steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n