A world-renowned surgeon at Johns Hopkins Medicine returned to the Island yesterday to raise awareness on obesity.

Dr. Malcolm Brock, Associate Professor of Surgery in the Division of Thoracic Surgery at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, said people need to educate themselves on healthier eating, and work with their doctor to reduce their Body Mass Index.

He was speaking at a Lady Cubitt Compassionate Association (LCCA) luncheon at the Hamilton Princess. The charity is this year celebrating its 75th anniversary and invited Dr. Brock to speak on "Continuing the Mandate of Lady Cubitt in the New Era of Technology and Evidence-Based Medicine".

Dr. Brock, 43, hails from Cox's Hill in Pembroke and is the son of the first CEO of the Bermuda College, Mansfield (Jimmy) Brock. His sister Arlene Brock is Bermuda's first Ombudsman.

Dr. Brock studied at both Princeton and Oxford, and earned his medical degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He spent nine years in postdoctoral surgical training at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and also trained in cardiovascular surgery at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

As a thoracic cancer surgeon at Johns Hopkins Medicine, he is also helping to research early diagnosis of lung and oesophageal cancers. Yesterday however, he wanted to raise the importance of self-education on obesity.

Referring to self-reported figures in the Bermuda Health Survey revealing 23 percent of Bermudians are obese, Dr. Brock said: "Bermuda is one of the richest countries in the world but we have little education as to what types of food to eat. I think that is changing, but with food we can prevent the likelihood of problems, by intervening early on, such as with education."

This ranks Bermuda fourth in the world's obesity tables, after the US at 30.6 percent, Scotland at 25.5 percent and Mexico at 24.2 percent.

Dr. Brock said: "Just last week in The Royal Gazette it was reported that people just didn't know what their Body Mass Index was. I think it would be telling if we all did that, that we would realise that this epidemic has taken root amongst us.

"I think each individual needs to work with their physician and come up with a plan which is individual to them. This could be done both safely and enjoyably. Now with all the information on the Internet and working with a physician, people can educate themselves. All doctors want to have informed consumers.

"It's creating an awareness that this is a problem. I think most people are not fully aware of the impact it can have long-term on your health."

To check your Body Mass Index , visit the Bermuda Health Council website at www.bhec.bm, click the link to the Diabetes page and then click 'Body Mass Index Table'.