Premier Ewart Brown called on Caribbean leaders to tackle "frightening" obesity levels threatening to jeopardise the regional economy.

The Premier warned countries could end up facing spiralling costs treating diseases brought on by poor lifestyles if more is not done quickly.

It comes after Bermuda launched a Healthy Weight Action Plan in response to a new survey showing more than 60 percent of people — and one in three five to ten-year-olds — are overweight or obese.

Speaking before the Congressional Caribbean Caucus and Inter-American Economic Council in Washington, DC, the Premier suggested the Island was not alone to suffer obesity problems.

"As a physician, I worry about the health of my people and indeed people in the Caribbean as well," said Dr. Brown.

"I see unity of purpose on this issue. In the area of obesity and non-communicable diseases the emerging symmetry in our cultures is frightening. In my country where mayonnaise is often referred to as the national sauce we have high incidences of hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. Sound familiar?

"I believe that the next great issue to which we must find solutions is the health of our nations. I respectfully submit that the Congressional Caribbean Caucus and the Inter-American Economic Council must include healthcare and wellness as an integral part of their respective agendas.

"Our regional economies will be jeopardised if we do not manage the health of our people by encouraging healthy lifestyles and eating habits.

"With improved emergency healthcare services, people are living longer but with symptoms of diseases brought on by the lives they led.

"This cycle of treating poor lifestyle choices when they have advanced to recognised diseases will drain our economies as we provide healthcare to our people."

The Premier also asked leaders to guard against communicable diseases such as AIDS.

"Cultural maxims make this disease difficult to acknowledge, but the growing incidences of it in Regional populations is cause for concern," he said.

"I urge the Council and the Caucus to add the Caribbean Region to the African Continent as an area under threat in this regard. This issue must be top of mind in any discussion on healthcare and the sharing of successful interventionist and preventive measures should form an integral part of our ongoing discussions."