‘Not about men’s preferences’: Jamaicans debate women’s higher obesity rates

KINGSTON, Jamaica — From poor exercise habits to stress to personal comfort, Jamaicans have offered varying opinions on why obesity affects local women at significantly higher rates than men. According to the World Obesity Federation, Jamaica has one of the widest gender gaps in obesity prevalence. The federation's latest country data indicate that more than 41 per cent of Jamaican women are classified as obese, compared with just under 15 per cent of men based on the most recent national survey.

While some Jamaicans on social media, in response to the alarming gender gap, suggested preference of local men for curvier women greatly contribute to obesity among females, respondents to an Observer Online vox pop argued that the issue is far more complex. One man said the root of the problem lies in a lack of physical activity rather than beauty standards. "I believe it is a case where Jamaicans do not normalise exercising.

So like getting up in the morning, running, walking…. I believe it is a case where Jamaica doesn't normalise exercising at all. It doesn't have anything to do with men liking curvy women or anything like that because you can be curvy and still not obese,” he said.

Another respondent attributed the statistic to complacency among Jamaican women. "I feel like [women] just feel comfortable with themselves while males now want to go to the gym and work out. Women just eat what they feel like…not necessarily every woman…but women always just want to be comfortable,” he said.

One female said some women embrace their body type, while others simply consume more calories than they burn. "Most of the women probably like being fat and they love the thickness while some just overeat and don't like to exercise and stuff like that. It is not every man that likes a curvy woman because every man has a choice," she said.

She also noted that she is personally comfortable with her own weight. Another man pointed to stress and dietary habits as possible contributors. "Most of them have probably too much stress, probably they are going through some form of pressure...