Today, December 1, 2025, Minister of Health, Social Affairs, Elderly Care, and Addiction Management, Drs. Melvin Wyatt-Ras, officially presented the “National Plan to Combat Obesity 2025-2030”, a multisectoral strategy aimed at reducing overweight and obesity in Aruba and strengthening public health.
Concerning Situation
Aruba is currently facing a concerning situation. In recent years, overweight and obesity rates have increased:
79% of the population is overweight (4 out of 5 people)
46% are obese, approximately 49,382 people
Among youth, the rate is around 42.7%
Minister Wyatt-Ras: “Obesity is not a minor issue; it is a challenge that directly impacts the health of our people and has consequences across all sectors of our society.”
Human and Economic Impact
Obesity significantly increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a large portion of ICU patients were people with overweight or obesity, highlighting the vulnerability of this group.
The economic burden is also considerable:
AWG 2,907 in healthcare costs per person per year
Approximately AWG 248 million annually in obesity-related costs
About 52% of total healthcare spending
Strategic Plan with National and International Support
The plan is part of the Country Cooperation Strategy 2025-2030 with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and aligns with the National Multisectoral Action Plan on Non-Communicable Diseases, focusing on integrating health across all policy areas: “Health in all policies”.
Goals for 2030:
Reduce the obesity rate by 3-5%
Create an environment that facilitates a healthy lifestyle
Strengthen prevention, early detection, and treatment
The plan focuses on four main areas:
Promoting a healthy lifestyle
Strengthening community care and programs
Introducing guidelines and healthier nutritional options
Enhancing food management and regulation
This includes lifestyle interventions (CLI), youth programs such as Cool2Bfit, accessible dietitian guidance, school and hospitality regulations, nutritional labeling, and guidance on food supply and marketing. Emphasis is also placed on physical activity as part of daily life and collaboration with various sectors to expand healthy options in supermarkets, hospitality, and food trucks.
Need for National Collaboration
Minister Wyatt-Ras emphasized that no plan can succeed without broad cooperation:
“The government can provide direction and set necessary conditions, but we need participation from schools, employers, sports clubs, supermarkets, hospitality, care providers, families, and citizens to achieve real change.”
The minister also highlighted respect and dignified treatment for people with obesity:
“Obesity is not a shame. People struggling with obesity deserve respect, understanding, and dignified care.”
Today marks an important step, but also the beginning of a long journey toward a healthier Aruba. The plan has been approved by the Council of Ministers, and implementation will take place during the 2025-2030 period.
Press Release — AVP-Futuro Cabinet
