Protocol for the Nutritional Management of Obesity, Diabetes and Hypertension in the Caribbean

Abstract

[Preface]: The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), through the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI) and the Caribbean Program Coordination, has been actively promoting good nutrition practices in the Caribbean Region. This commitment to encourage a healthy approach to eating has brought the recognition that, while a preventive approach to health care is key to maintaining health, proper management of diseases is an important aspect of the health care continuum. Chronic non-communicable nutrition-related diseases are the main causes of disability, illness and death in the Caribbean. Their management needs to be given priority, even as the fight against communicable diseases continues. With the increasing cost of hospitalization, treating complications, loss of productive capacity and the impact on quality of life, more emphasis needs to be placed on the pivotal role of nutrition in the effective management of these diseases at the primary care level. The nutritional management of obesity, diabetes and hypertension has been selected as a first step for which nutritional guidelines ought to be established for management in the primary care system, since success in the management of these diseases may well prevent the onset of other debilitating chronic diseases...