Obesity in Argentina: a remaining challenge. Public health policies and prevalence rates

Abstract The World Health Organization raises that the incidence and prevalence of obesity rates are reaching alarming levels in most countries, since the middle of the last century, turning it into a health problem of first magnitude. In Argentina, obesity has also become a serious threat to public health. From this situation, it has been generated different documents and devices aimed at the prevention and treatment of overweight, obesity and associated consequences. These measures include laws, resolutions, practical guides, plans and programs. The aim of this study is to present a review of documents and devices provided by public health policies, and prevalence national rates of overweight and obesity. From the literature review, a series of implemented policies against obesity were identified. However, National Survey of Risk Factors conducted in 2005, 2009 and 2013, provides data that show an uninterrupted growth in rates of overweight and obesity in Argentina. Results are discussed and future lines of work related to this important health problem are proposed.