No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsHealthObesity Crisis in Costa Rica Threatens Health and Economy

Obesity Crisis in Costa Rica Threatens Health and Economy

Costa Rica is continuing to deal with a pressing public health issue: 68.5% of adults are overweight or obese, with women at 73.8% and men at 63%, according to a recent study. The 50-69 age group is hit hardest, with 45% classified as obese. This alarming trend prompted an executive decree recognizing obesity as a chronic disease, signaling the need for urgent, coordinated action across society.

The Association for the Fight Against Obesity (ALCO) and the Center for Medical, Epidemiological, Clinical, and Public Health Research for Central America (CEVAXIN) highlight the crisis’s staggering impact. Direct medical costs for obesity-related conditions in 2023 were estimated at $1.5 billion, driven by conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and chronic kidney disease. These illnesses, linked to obesity, are among the leading causes of death in the country.

Beyond health, obesity strains the economy. ALCO reports $290 million in indirect costs from lost productivity and absenteeism, alongside 80,399 years of healthy life lost to premature death or disability. “Recognizing obesity as a disease is a big step, but without real action—prevention, education, and access to care—we’re risking our future,” said Jose Arturo Vega, ALCO’s executive director.

Dr. María Lucila Carrasco of CEVAXIN emphasized the broader toll: “This isn’t just about weight. It’s about lives cut short, families burdened, and a health system stretched thin.” If trends continue, Costa Rica could rank among the top nations for obesity by 2060, with costs potentially doubling to $3 billion by 2050.

ALCO advocates for a stigma-free, comprehensive approach, including multidisciplinary care with nutritional guidance, emotional support, and specialized treatment. Recent efforts, like the 2025 National Congress on Obesity, aim to unite experts and policymakers to tackle the crisis. Front-of-package food labeling, promoted by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), is another step to help consumers make healthier choices.

Costa Rica’s strong healthcare system, praised for universal coverage, faces a test. With 7 in 10 adults and 34% of schoolchildren affected, our country must act swiftly to curb this epidemic and protect our people and economy.

Trending Now

Costa Rica Airport Pioneers Central America’s First Child Exploitation Prevention Protocol

Juan Santamaría International Airport will become the first in Central America to implement a specialized protocol to prevent, detect, and respond to cases of...

Exiled Nicaraguan Journalists in Costa Rica Face Growing Harassment

Nicaragua has increased its “harassment and retaliation” against exiled journalists and their families who remain in the country, according to a report published Thursday...

Canadian Tourism to Costa Rica Drops Amid Rising Crime Concerns

Canadian visits to Costa Rica have started to drop in 2025, with crime playing a big part in the shift. Data from the Costa...

Honduran teen deported by US feels like foreigner in native country

Emerson Colindres had just finished high school when he was sent back to Honduras by the United States, a country that he had called...

U.S. Foreign Investment Fuels Costa Rica’s Growth—But at What Cost?

Costa Rica has reached a new milestone in foreign direct investment (FDI), recording more than $4.3 billion in inflows in 2024—a 14% increase from...

Short Term Rental Income in Costa Rica to Face New Tax Rules

Property owners in Costa Rica who rent accommodations through popular platforms like Airbnb or Booking.com will soon face a new tax obligation. The General...
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica