Obesity, food supply and trade policy in Santiago, Chile

Rates of obesity in Chile increased drastically in the last 15 years. During this period, food supply profiles changed significantly and Chile entered into several free trade agreements. We aimed to describe how policy changes and the built environment relate to dietary and physical activity habits in a low-income urban population of Santiago, Chile. Questionnaires were administered to the mothers of 10-year olds to identify perceived environmental trends between generations that influence physical activity and eating habits. Data from questionnaires were analyzed with data from a longitudinal study, and compared to national food supply statistics from Food and Agricultural Organization and statistics on crime and supermarket utilization from Chile's National Institute of Statistics. Within the sample population (n=92), 23% of children were obese and 22% were overweight while 42% of the mothers were obese and 38% overweight. Results from questionnaires indicated greater access to and consumption of energy dense foods and beverages, more opportunities for sedentary activity, increasing crime, and more space for recreation. Childhood obesity was marginally associated with owning a videogame and not walking to school. More frequent supermarket shopping and mother having grown up in the city (versus in a rural area) predicted higher BMI percentile for children. Between 1991 and 2001, the daily per capita supply of calories from fat, animals, and corn increased by 27%, 29%, and 380%, respectively. Changes in food supply, at least partly related to trade policy, likely influence high rates of obesity among low-income urban Chileans.