2012-12-31-世界卫生组织-2013_STEPS_Country_Report_Suriname_24页_1mb

Survey Overview: The National Steps Survey on Chronic Disease Risk Factors in Suriname, conducted in 2013 and reported in January 2014, involved 15,752 individuals aged 15-65 years. Conducted by the Faculty of Medical Sciences at Anton de Kom University, it measured weight, height, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and lifestyle factors, with 77% response rate.

Key Findings: High rates of obesity (one in three women) and overweight are prevalent, increasing with age. Physical inactivity is widespread, with only 55.5% of the population meeting activity levels, lower among older adults. Hypertension affects about 20% of the population, diabetes is present in 11%, and high cholesterol is found in nearly 25%. Smoking is more common in men. Risk factors like obesity, physical inactivity, and poor diet exacerbate chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes, showing alarming trends across ethnic groups and districts.

Health Impact: The survey highlights a rising burden of chronic diseases, contributing to higher healthcare costs and premature mortality. Lifestyle changes are urgent to mitigate risks.

Recommendations: Increased public education campaigns, policy interventions for healthy eating, expanded recreation facilities, improved healthcare services including early screening, and further research on under-studied populations and behaviors to reduce the chronic disease burden.