Q COSTARICA — On World Obesity Day, the Colegio de Profesionales en Nutrición de Costa Rica (CPN)—Costa Rican College of Nutrition Professionals—warned that more than 60% of the adult population in Costa Rica is overweight or obese.
Among children, approximately one in three is overweight or obese.
The CPN described obesity as one of the main public health challenges in Costa Rica and urged its recognition as a condition requiring professional attention, sound public policies, and social commitment.
Over the last decade, the trend has shown a sustained increase, especially among adolescents. Specialists expressed concern that childhood obesity tends to persist into adulthood.
The groups with the highest prevalence include adult women, school-aged children, and people living in urban areas where access to safe spaces for physical activity is limited.
“Obesity is not an aesthetic issue nor a matter of individual willpower. It is a chronic, multifactorial, and progressive disease, internationally recognized, that involves an excessive accumulation of body fat that affects health and quality of life,” explained Elizabeth Delgado, spokesperson for the College of Pediatricians.
In Costa Rica, this condition is directly associated with diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, some types of cancer, and musculoskeletal problems. It also impacts mental health, limits mobility, and increases the risk of medical complications.
The College of Pediatricians noted that the situation places a significant burden on the Costa Rican Social Security System (CCSS) due to the treatment of chronic diseases linked to excess weight.
Social, economic, and environmental factors significantly influence this problem. The College pointed to the increased availability of ultra-processed foods, advertising aimed at children, long working hours, less time for cooking at home, and increased sedentary lifestyles as part of the environment that contributes to weight gain.
“In many households, there’s a perception that eating healthy is more expensive, especially when the basic food basket prioritizes energy-dense products that aren’t necessarily of high nutritional quality. This shows that the approach must go beyond individual decisions and also focus on the environment,” Delgado added.
Increased screen time, teleworking, motorized transportation, and reduced recreational spaces have also contributed to the decline in daily energy expenditure in the population.
The College emphasized that consulting a properly registered nutrition professional is essential for appropriate treatment. It indicated that obesity requires an individualized approach, based on scientific evidence and adapted to each person’s social, economic, and cultural reality.
It warned that unsupervised restrictive diets can lead to muscle loss, hormonal imbalances, rebound weight gain, nutritional deficiencies, and an unhealthy relationship with food.
From a preventative standpoint, the CPN urged strengthening nutrition education from an early age, promoting the consumption of fruits, vegetables, and fresh foods, ensuring safe spaces for physical activity, and regulating the consumption of sugary drinks.
“Taking care of our diet is not a fad; it’s an investment in health, well-being, and quality of life for ourselves and future generations. Let’s seek evidence-based information, avoid quick fixes, and commit to sustainable changes that respect our bodies and our reality,” Delgado concluded.