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The World’s Fattest Countries: A Commentary on Fat T&T

I am not surprised that we are among the top 10 fattest countries in the world. In 2012, the average adultin Trinidad and Tobago weighed 159.92 lb. (Source). We were number 23 in the ranking of the f attestcountry. This year, we are ranked as the third f attest country in the world according to a UK study.

This study compared the average body mass index f or adults around the globe. It stated that the averagebody mass index of men in Trinidad and Tobago is 26.6 and 30.6 f or women . Compare this to Kuwait whichwas ranked as the f irst with the average body mass f or men as 27.5 and 31.4 f or women. How reliable isthis statistic leaves f or much debate. But the point remains, we are probably already an obese nation.

T&T Among The World’s Fattest Countries

When I f irst saw this article in the papers, I must truthf ully say I was concerned more f or how this wouldaf f ect the website. (I had other concerns, mainly when some people chuckle at the idea that we are third. They were impressed that we had big and beautif ul women to showcase every Carnival. They seemdelighted to have yet another statistic in our f avour placing us in the top 10, along side us having one ofthe most romantic accents, having a best dressed Prime Minister, and being f un- loving). But I digress.

Yes, this website is all about f ood, Trini f ood. And yes, we Trinis love f ood. But, should everyone reallypoint at our f ood? Someone commented on a f orum that doubles was the culprit. Should we really blameour f ood. I would boldly say, “No”.

There are a number of reasons we are at number three. We are aware of these reasons that is why f ewTrinbagonians are surprised at the claims of this study. We knew the stats were creeping up on us. Over amonth ago the Minister in the Ministry of Health stated openly during the campaign f or the celebration ofthe World Kidney Day that more than 1/2 the population (55.5%), 15 years and over, are overweight orobese. In 2012, the same minister was invit ing cit izens to “f ight the f at” and f ollow his example towardsgetting active and eat healthy.

The Top 10 Fattest Countries: Why Are We in This List Anyway?

I can place these reasons into three categories: the individual, economic needs and the present socialnorms. You may be saying right now, “So, food not getting people fat?” Just hold on.

The Individual

We are a busy people, always rushing f rom here to there. Many can’t seem to f ind the time to cook asimple meal f or the f amily, f ar less learn new recipes or expand their cooking repertoire. This has lead ourincome earners to cook less and buy more ready made f ood and f ast f ood, which are known to be low innutrient content and high in f at content. Our mindset is that cooking takes a lot of t ime, and time is hard tof ind.

Economic Needs

Our growing needs f or f ast f ood and take-away is f ueling the growth of the f ood service industry. As moreand more women enter the workf orce, we see an exponential growth in the f ood service industry. Thereare over 3,800 f ood service outlets in T&T (Source). Many American f ast f ood companies haveestablished their presence here in T&T within the past 5 years. Now, this growth in the f ood serviceindustry is not entirely a bad thing. The f ood industry employs many, especially women.

But with its growth comes a number of challenging issues,many that have been yet to be addressed. I am quite surethat when these issues are addressed responsibly it couldlead to changes in our mindset and even in ourlegislations. However, our economic needs have af f ectedf amilies, how f amilies interact and how knowledge,especially concerning cooking skills, are passed on.

The social norm

Our economic needs have in turn af f ected our socialnorms. We are not an active group of people like times gone by, and we are teaching our children theselessons. Most of our children have a computer. So the 25% of primary school children who are obesedoes not look good f or us. Most children don’t play much like the children f rom the generation gone. Theydid not have the distraction of internet, Facebook , PS3, cable television etc. Today’s children spend moretime indoors, than outdoors.

Most are also thinking that the gym is the only place to get some exercise and remain f it. Are we tellingthem that in order to keep f it one must become a member of a gym? When last you saw the checker boxdrawn in the ground in your neighbourhood that is reminiscent of girls playing hop scotch or “moral”? Sowhile our minds are being active, our bodies are stationary.

Also, I would like to add that our country is not exercise f riendly either. For economic convenience, thereare more uncovered drains along the roads, so the sprinter or walker is f orced into the road. (Pleaseremember, the seasons here are dry and wet season.) I guess this conf irms the f act that a gym is the bestplace to keep f it.

Now if you don’t have the time or extra money f or the gym, is it no mystery that we are number 3? In ourdaily scurry to make the f ast buck, we are becoming more and more engrossed in ourselves. Theresponsibility f or maintaining a healthy society does not just rest on the individual, but rests on f amilies,businesses, society and policy makers. Of course, we need to eat a healthy balanced meal, but if many donot know what makes up a healthy meal or how to cook a healthy meal, how are we going to get healthier?

There are many recipes, including the many that have passed on f rom generation to generation, that wecan use to make up our daily and weekly meal plans. These recipes are varied and can contribute to us

becoming healthier. They make use of local f oods, thus helping us control our f ood bill.

Not all our Trini recipes are entirely carbohydrate- f illedmeals, as we have been mislead to believe. If I can whipup a healthy meal using only the recipes handed downf rom my grandparents within 45 minutes, you can too. Once you f ind the joy in preparing your own meals you eatless and less of the f ast f ood that is very addictive.

MSG is a common ingredient in many f ast f oods and hasbeen know to be addictive and encourage overeating. Once we become conscious of what we eat we will alsoencourage the f ood service industry to become moreaware of our health needs and be cautious in what theyserve the public. Then we will begin our way towards ahealthier Trinidad and Tobago. And, the next t ime asurvey is done we will be toasting towards our own health.

A Short Note From the Author :

Simply Trini Cooking prides itself in being the f irst Trinidad and Tobago f ood blog devoted to bringingyou detailed step-by-step recipes with pictures, that have been passed on f rom generation togeneration. Our goal has been and will always be one to encourage our readers to f ollow a healthy lif estylethat can lead towards physical and emotional well-being.

We invite your support to share our recipes, recipe eBooks, health articles and health eBooks with yourf riends and f amily. Also, you are welcomed to join our f orum and discuss with like- minded persons thejoys of eating healthy Trini f ood. Finally, it is always a pleasure hearing f rom our readers. (Note: Allcomments are moderated). Don’t f orget to leave your comments about Trinidad and Tobago being amongthe world’s f attest countries in the comment box below.