[Social programs and reducing obesity in Peru: reflections from the research]

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Nutrition Science
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Overweight and obesity rates have surged globally, particularly in low- and middle-income nations.
• Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide.
• In Peru, over half the adult population is overweight, with obesity affecting one-fifth, disproportionately impacting impoverished communities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current epidemic of overweight and obesity in Peru and globally.
• To analyze the consequences and causes of obesity, focusing on food access and availability.
• To evaluate the potential of social food supplement programs as a platform for obesity reduction and NCD prevention in Peru.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of global overweight and obesity trends.
• Analysis of the impact of food access and availability on obesity.
• Synthesis of research on interventions within food supplement programs.

Main Results:

• Obesity and NCDs are significant public health challenges, exacerbated by socioeconomic factors.
• Food supplement programs, while addressing malnutrition, may inadvertently contribute to obesity.
• Evidence on effective interventions within these programs for obesity prevention is synthesized.

Conclusions:

• There is an urgent need for population-level policies and programs to combat the obesity epidemic.
• Social programs can be leveraged as a platform to reduce obesity and prevent NCDs.
• Further research is needed to optimize food supplement programs for obesity prevention in vulnerable populations.