Anti-obesity drugs like Ozempic were heralded as the “breakthrough of the year” in 2023 by the AAAS journal *Science*. However, with global obesity rates on the rise, reaching 14% in 2020 and potentially 24% by 2035, experts emphasize that the fight against obesity involves more than just personal lifestyle changes.
Marcelo Mori, a scientist at the Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center (OCRC), highlights that socioeconomic and environmental factors play a more significant role in obesity than genetic factors or individual choices. In a *Nature Metabolism* article, Mori and his colleagues from UNICAMP, the University of São Paulo (USP), and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) stress the importance of a multidisciplinary, global approach to tackle obesity.
The article identifies eight primary factors driving obesity in Latin America: the physical environment, food exposure, economic and political interests, social inequality, limited access to scientific knowledge, culture, contextual behavior, and genetics. Effective public policies must address these systemic determinants.
Mori emphasizes that while lifestyle changes are essential, they should be coupled with community and environmental interventions. Regional differences in socioeconomic and cultural drivers necessitate tailored solutions rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Recent data reveal that obesity rates are now rising faster in developing countries than in developed ones. In Latin America, the prevalence of overweight or obese adults is alarmingly high: 75% in Mexico, 74% in Chile, 68% in Argentina, 57% in Colombia, and 55% in Brazil. Among children and adolescents, the rates are also significant, with Chile at 53%, Argentina at 41%, Mexico at 39%, Brazil at 30%, and Colombia at 22%.
The researchers propose that the rapid transition from malnutrition to the widespread availability of ultra-processed, high-calorie foods may contribute to an epigenetic inheritance predisposing individuals to metabolic disorders. More research is needed to confirm this hypothesis.
The article advocates for collective action, including policies to support traditional diets and regulate ultra-processed foods. Encouraging regular physical exercise, healthy habits, and nourishing school meals is crucial. Emphasizing healthy diets for pregnant women and children is also essential, given their susceptibility to obesity.
Limited access to scientific knowledge is another barrier to addressing obesity in Latin America. Mori calls for increased investment in obesity research within the region to close the knowledge gap and develop effective local solutions.
In summary, Mori stresses that Latin America often imports both the problem of obesity and potential solutions from developed countries, leading to a cycle of dependency and inefficacy. A concerted, region-specific effort is needed to combat the obesity epidemic effectively.
