KINGSTON, Jamaica — From poor exercise habits to stress to personal comfort, Jamaicans have offered varying opinions on why obesity affects local women at significantly higher rates than men.

According to the World Obesity Federation, Jamaica has one of the widest gender gaps in obesity prevalence. The federation’s latest country data indicate that more than 41 per cent of Jamaican women are classified as obese, compared with just under 15 per cent of men based on the most recent national survey.

While some Jamaicans on social media, in response to the alarming gender gap, suggested preference of local men for curvier women greatly contribute to obesity among females, respondents to an Observer Online vox pop argued that the issue is far more complex.

One man said the root of the problem lies in a lack of physical activity rather than beauty standards.

“I believe it is a case where Jamaicans do not normalise exercising. So like getting up in the morning, running, walking…. I believe it is a case where Jamaica doesn’t normalise exercising at all. It doesn’t have anything to do with men liking curvy women or anything like that because you can be curvy and still not obese,” he said.

Another respondent attributed the statistic to complacency among Jamaican women.

“I feel like [women] just feel comfortable with themselves while males now want to go to the gym and work out. Women just eat what they feel like…not necessarily every woman…but women always just want to be comfortable,” he said.

One female said some women embrace their body type, while others simply consume more calories than they burn.

“Most of the women probably like being fat and they love the thickness while some just overeat and don’t like to exercise and stuff like that. It is not every man that likes a curvy woman because every man has a choice,” she said.

She also noted that she is personally comfortable with her own weight.

Another man pointed to stress and dietary habits as possible contributors.

“Most of them have probably too much stress, probably they are going through some form of pressure… and some of them love too much food… I think the sweets as well can make you really blow up… They love them ice cream and cake and you know those things are going to bring forth obesity.”

However, another woman argued that weight is influenced by a range of biological and socioeconomic factors, not simply lifestyle choices.

She noted that some people are naturally larger while others remain slim regardless of how much they eat. She also pointed to pregnancy, childcare responsibilities and financial constraints as reasons some women struggle to lose weight or maintain healthier diets.

“Women get fat too when they get pregnant… they have so much things to do… they don’t find time for themselves.”

A young man echoed the view that personal choice plays a larger role than male preference.

“Because them cook nuff and them eat nuff. Although some Jamaican men would prefer curvy women, I don’t think that necessarily plays a part into whether or not they lose the weight or gain weight because at the end of the day that is their personal choice.”

He acknowledged that compliments from partners may reinforce body confidence but doubted it was the main reason behind the disparity.

“Perhaps because a man say she have little curves she say him like me like this so I am comfortable like this and I will stay like this, but I don’t think it plays an overarching role… I think it is just a standard of comfortability that they retain.”

Health experts have consistently cautioned that obesity is a complex condition influenced by a combination of genetics, diet, physical activity, socioeconomic circumstances, environmental factors and underlying medical conditions. The World Obesity Federation says tackling obesity requires evidence-based public health interventions rather than focusing on individual behaviour alone.

(Video: Llewellyn Wynter)