QCOSTARICA — The alarming increase in obesity in Costa Rica continues to have a significant impact on the public health system.
Between 2020 and 2023, hospital discharges related to this disease rose by 272%, which shows increasing pressure on the country’s hospitals.
The data arise within the framework of World Food Day, this October 16, by the Research Coordination of the School of Medicine and Surgery of the Universidad Hispanoamericana (UH), in San José, Costa Rica.
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According to the World Obesity Federation, 40.48% of the Costa Rican population could be affected by this condition in 2030, which highlights the urgent need to strengthen hospital capacity.
Figures from the last four years indicate that the Hospital México registered the highest number of hospitalizations related to obesity, accumulating 64% of the total with 1,173 discharges.
“Last year, this medical center had a total occupancy of 461 beds, 78 of them in the Intensive Care Unit. In 2023, we reported 306 discharges due to obesity,” the report mentions.
The cost associated with hospital care for obese patients has also increased dramatically.
According to data from the Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS), the daily expense of regular hospital care for a patient is around ¢500,000 colones.
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If we consider that in 2023, a total of 473 patients were hospitalized for obesity, the approximate cost was ¢251.6 billion colones.
In addition, if each patient remained hospitalized for a week, the accumulated cost would rise to more than ¢1.76 billion colones.
While the expense related to bariatric surgeries has also had a considerable increase. Last year, the number of these interventions grew by 155%.
“Bariatric surgeries in the private sector cost between US$10,500 and US$15,000,” the study states.
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In light of this situation, experts are urgently calling for strengthening preventive health policies in the country.
“It is necessary to return to a healthier diet, based on fruits, vegetables and legumes. We must promote physical activity and educate the population on the proper reading of food labels to reduce the consumption of sugars, fats and salt,” said a representative of the School of Nutrition at the UH.
Health authorities also point out the importance of carrying out regular studies that allow monitoring of risk factors such as weight, body mass index and Lipid profile.
These measures are essential to stop the rapid advance of obesity and mitigate its impact on health services.
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