Battling Obesity in Mauritius: Insights, Interventions, and Future Directions

By: CureQuest x Statice Health QEC

I. Introduction

Obesity has emerged as one of the most pressing global public health challenges of the twenty-first century, affecting populations across all age groups and income levels. Once considered a problem in high-income countries, obesity is now rapidly increasing in low- and middle-income nations, driven by shifts in diet, physical inactivity, and urban lifestyles. This growing epidemic is closely linked to non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers, placing significant strain on health systems worldwide.

Why Mauritius is a critical case in the obesity pandemic
Mauritius represents a critical case study within the global obesity epidemic. Despite its small size and upper-middle-income status, the country has experienced rapid economic development and lifestyle transitions that have profoundly influenced dietary patterns and physical activity levels. The coexistence of modern food environments with cultural dietary practices has contributed to particularly high obesity rates, making Mauritius one of the most affected countries in its region.

Snapshot of obesity prevalence in Mauritius
Obesity prevalence in Mauritius is significantly higher than the global average, with rates exceeding those observed in many other developing nations. While obesity affects a substantial proportion of adults worldwide, Mauritius stands out for the severity of its burden, underscoring the urgent need for targeted public health interventions and policy responses.

II. Epidemiology of Obesity in Mauritius

Obesity represents a significant and growing public health challenge in Mauritius. Current data indicate that over two-thirds of adults are overweight or obese, with approximately one-third classified as obese. Obesity prevalence is higher among women than men and increases with advancing age, particularly in middle-aged and older adults.

Age-related disparities
Among children, overweight and obesity affect roughly 20% of school-aged children, with obesity present in about 12%. Slightly higher overweight rates are observed among girls. The coexistence of overweight and undernutrition among children reflects a double burden of malnutrition.

Urban vs. Rural trends

Clear urban–rural disparities are evident. Urban populations, especially children, show higher obesity prevalence compared to rural populations, likely due to increased sedentary behaviour and greater availability of energy-dense, processed foods. Over the past three decades, obesity prevalence in Mauritius has more than doubled, mirroring rapid economic development, urbanisation, dietary shifts, and reduced physical activity. These trends highlight an ongoing nutrition transition and underline the growing risk of non-communicable diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

III. Key Contributing Factors

In Mauritius, dietary and lifestyle changes linked to rapid modernization have made obesity a significant public health issue, with adult prevalence rates rising steadily.

Dietary transition
There has been a shift from traditional meals to processed foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats. Recent data show that adults aged 20–49 years have particularly high rates, with 31.2% classified as obese and 35.5% overweight.4 Fast foods, sugary drinks, and refined carbohydrates are now widely available and heavily marketed, leading to excessive calorie intake. More than 40% of adults report consuming sugar-sweetened beverages regularly

Cultural food practices, physical inactivity, and sedentary lifestyle
Cultural food practices also play an important role, as food is central to social gatherings, where large portion sizes and energy-dense dishes are common. Physical inactivity has become increasingly common due to sedentary lifestyles, long working hours, and high screen time among both adults and children. Approximately 39% of adults are insufficiently physically active.6

Urbanisation and socioeconomic factors
Urbanisation has further reduced daily physical activity, with greater reliance on motorised transport and fewer opportunities for walking or recreational exercise in some areas. Socioeconomic factors also play a role, as healthier food options such as fresh fruits and vegetables are often more expensive and less accessible than calorie-dense alternatives. Lower-income households show higher obesity prevalence. These interconnected factors have significantly contributed to the rising obesity prevalence in Mauritius.

IV. Obesity and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)

Obesity is a major driver of type 2 diabetes in Mauritius through its effects on insulin resistance and chronic inflammation. Excess body fat, particularly visceral fat, impairs insulin action, leading to sustained hyperglycaemia and diabetes onset. Nearly 72% of adults are overweight or obese, while about 20% live with type 2 diabetes, with a further 16% at pre-diabetic risk.7 This strong biological and epidemiological link highlights obesity prevention as a critical component of diabetes control and non-communicable disease (NCD) strategies.

Cardiovascular diseases and hypertension burden
Cardiovascular diseases and hypertension impose a substantial health burden in Mauritius and are closely linked to obesity, poor diet, and physical inactivity. Abdominal obesity contributes to high blood pressure, vascular damage, and abnormal lipid metabolism, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Around 25–30% of adults have hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases account for approximately 30% of all deaths.9 These interconnected risk factors underscore the need for integrated prevention, early screening, and effective management of cardiovascular risk.
Obesity-related cancers and metabolic disorders
Obesity significantly increases the risk of several cancers and metabolic disorders in Mauritius. An estimated 10–15% of cancers—including breast, colorectal, endometrial, and pancreatic cancers—are linked to overweight and obesity. High obesity prevalence also drives metabolic conditions such as dyslipidaemia, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and metabolic syndrome, which further elevate cardiovascular and diabetes risk. With nearly three-quarters of adults overweight or obese, targeted public health interventions are urgently required.

Impact on life expectancy and quality of life
Obesity and related NCDs substantially reduce life expectancy and quality of life in Mauritius. Increased risks of cardiovascular events, diabetes complications, and cancers contribute to premature mortality, while chronic morbidity, disability, and functional limitations diminish daily living and independence. These outcomes place growing pressure on healthcare services and highlight obesity as a key determinant of prolonged ill-health, reinforcing the need for comprehensive, long-term prevention and control strategies.

V. Childhood and Adolescent Obesity

Over the past decade, Mauritius has experienced a notable shift in the health profile of its younger generations. Once primarily concerned with undernutrition, the island is now confronted with a growing wave of childhood and teenage overweight and obesity—a trend that mirrors the global shifts in diet and lifestyle.

Prevalence among school-aged children
Data from the Mauritius Nutrition survey shows that 14.6% of children aged 5 to 11 are overweight and 13.8% are obese. A similar trend is seen in adolescents and young adults. These figures place Mauritius at the higher end of prevalence for a developing nation, signalling an urgent need for intervention.

Influence of school meals, screen time, and marketing
Mauritius has undergone a rapid dietary transition marked by increased consumption of calorie-dense, processed foods. Traditional home-cooked meals are increasingly replaced by fast foods and packaged snacks. Mauritian children are influenced by food availability and preferences shaped within school environments and the broader community. School canteens and surrounding vendors often provide calorie-dense, nutrient-poor options such as fried foods and sugary beverages, while access to fruits and vegetables remains limited for many students. Reduced physical activity also plays a critical role, with only 42% of children and 25% of adolescents meeting WHO recommended levels.13 Genetic predispositions further increase vulnerability, as Mauritian children of South Asian descent tend to have higher body fat at the same BMI than those with African genetics. The reliance on imported, highly refined wheat flour and rice over local carbohydrates, along with unregulated fertilizer use, negatively affects health and contributes to overeating.

Long-term health consequences of early-onset obesity
Childhood obesity is not a cosmetic issue; it is a serious medical condition with lifelong implications. Mauritian youth has witnessed increasing cases of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease in adulthood, joint problems, psychological distress, and more. Global nutrition report, growth rate of diabetes in Mauritius (2023).

VI. Healthcare System Impact

Obesity, being the cause of other long-term health conditions, increases workload and costs in public hospitals and clinics, requiring frequent doctor visits, long-term medication, and diagnostic tests. This places significant resource pressure on hospital staff and infrastructure.

Strain on healthcare costs and burden on public hospitals
Long-term management of obesity-related diseases often requires specialised care. Shortages in trained human resources and a focus on treatment over prevention increase workloads, leading to burnout and reduced efficiency. Since Mauritius operates a free public healthcare system, a larger share of the health budget is spent on treatment. The sustainability of the public healthcare system is threatened in the long term. In 2019, the direct and indirect costs attributed to obesity and overweight were estimated at Rs18.1 billion, or 2.78% of GDP. Forecasts suggest economic costs could rise to 4.6% by 2030 and 8.89% by 2060.

Economic impact due to lost productivity

Research links obesity and overweight to lost productivity through absenteeism, disability, premature mortality, and worker compensation costs. Obesity can limit a worker’s ability to undertake physically demanding tasks. Anti-discrimination laws protect obese individuals from workplace discrimination.

VII. Government Policies and Public Health Initiatives

Mauritius faces an urgent need for coordinated policy and public health strategies to tackle obesity and its associated non-communicable diseases. Intervention strategies must address dietary habits, physical activity, early screening, and long-term management of obesity-related conditions.

Nutrition education and awareness campaigns
Increasing public awareness of healthy diets and physical activity is essential. National campaigns aim to educate both adults and children on the importance of balanced meals, portion control, and limiting the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and energy-dense processed foods.

School-based interventions
Schools provide an ideal platform for obesity prevention. Measures include improving school meals, restricting access to unhealthy snacks and sugary drinks, integrating physical activity programs, and teaching children about nutrition. Policies that promote healthy canteens and encourage active playtime are critical for shaping lifelong habits.

Community and environmental approaches
Urban planning and community programs can support healthy lifestyles by providing safe spaces for walking, cycling, and recreational activities. Access to fresh fruits and vegetables through local markets or subsidies can help lower-income households adopt healthier diets. Community-based initiatives also address cultural norms surrounding food consumption during social gatherings.

Healthcare system strategies
Healthcare providers play a central role in prevention and management. Early screening for obesity and related conditions, counselling on lifestyle changes, and monitoring at-risk populations are essential. Investments in healthcare workforce training, preventive care programs, and the integration of nutrition and physical activity guidance into routine health services will improve outcomes.

Legislative and regulatory measures
Government regulations on food labeling, advertising of unhealthy foods to children, and sugar-sweetened beverage taxes can influence consumer behavior. Enforcement of food safety and nutrient standards, along with public reporting of compliance, ensures accountability and supports long-term public health goals.

VIII. Barriers to Obesity Prevention and Management

Despite increasing awareness of obesity as a public health priority, Mauritius faces several significant barriers to effective prevention and management. Cultural norms and social practices often encourage the consumption of energy-dense, high-calorie foods during family gatherings and celebrations, making dietary change difficult. Economic disparities also limit access to healthier food options, as fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are often more expensive and less available than processed alternatives. In addition, sedentary lifestyles have become pervasive, fueled by urbanization, increased screen time, and reliance on motorized transport. Within the healthcare system, a focus on treatment rather than prevention, coupled with shortages of trained personnel, reduces the effectiveness of obesity management programs. These social, economic, cultural, and systemic barriers collectively hinder the ability of individuals and communities to adopt healthier behaviors, slowing progress in tackling the obesity epidemic.

IX. Community-Based and Innovative Approaches

Mauritius has begun to implement community-based and innovative strategies to combat obesity, leveraging the efforts of NGOs, public awareness campaigns, and digital health interventions. Non-governmental organizations and local community groups play a crucial role in promoting nutrition education, facilitating access to physical activity programs, and organizing workshops that encourage healthier lifestyles. Public awareness campaigns further reinforce these efforts, providing information on the risks of obesity, the benefits of balanced diets, and the importance of regular exercise. Digital health platforms and lifestyle intervention programs have emerged as additional tools, offering personalized guidance, monitoring, and motivation through mobile apps and online platforms. Moreover, the promotion of traditional diets, which are typically higher in fiber, lower in refined carbohydrates, and rich in locally sourced produce, presents a culturally acceptable strategy to encourage healthier eating. These combined community and technology-driven approaches provide a multi-pronged framework for addressing obesity at the population level.

X. Future Directions and Recommendations

To reduce the burden of obesity in Mauritius, a combination of preventive healthcare strategies, policy interventions, and early-life programs is essential. Strengthening preventive healthcare should include routine screening for obesity and related conditions, personalized lifestyle counselling, and the integration of nutrition and physical activity guidance into primary care. Policy-level interventions, such as regulating marketing of unhealthy foods to children, implementing sugar taxes, and incentivizing access to fresh produce, can create supportive environments for healthy choices. Early interventions targeting children and adolescents are particularly critical, as establishing healthy habits during these formative years can reduce the risk of lifelong obesity and associated diseases. Integrating obesity care into primary healthcare systems ensures accessibility, continuity of care, and timely management of high-risk populations. By combining individual, community, and policy-level strategies, Mauritius can create sustainable solutions to curb the obesity epidemic.

XI. Conclusion

Mauritius faces a complex obesity challenge shaped by rapid urbanization, dietary transitions, cultural practices, and socioeconomic disparities. The high prevalence of overweight and obesity among both adults and children underscores the urgent need for multisectoral action. Effective solutions require the coordinated efforts of government, healthcare providers, schools, NGOs, and communities, alongside evidence-based policy and regulatory measures. Lessons from Mauritius highlight the importance of culturally sensitive interventions, early-life prevention, and integrated healthcare approaches for middle-income countries confronting similar nutrition transitions. By addressing obesity comprehensively, Mauritius has the potential not only to improve health outcomes for its population but also to serve as a model for other nations seeking to manage rising obesity rates and related non-communicable diseases.

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