PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad - Paediatrician Dr David Bratt said in a telephone interview yesterday he is not surprised that T&T is ranked as the third fattest country in the world. While Bratt questioned the validity of the UK Daily Mail’s report, he also said he was not surprised by the report, since lifestyles have changed. “There is worse food and a decrease in exercise. There is no outdoor activity because of crime. Children are indoor on television or online. People are eating fast food,” he said as he outlined the reasons for the increase in obesity.
He added that fast food is cheaper and many mothers are unable to prepare food for their children since they have to work. Educating people about diet, he warned, “can only go so far.” The Government, he said, needs to take firmer steps to address the issue such as lowering the cost of local food by providing a subsidy to farmers. He also suggested the price of fast food should be increased so people would have to spend more to get it.