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The Bahamas: an archipelago confronting food imports and metabolic disease

The Bahamas is a widely dispersed, low-lying archipelago where tourism, marine resources, inter-island transport and imported food strongly influence diet. Fish, conch, legumes, vegetables, fruit and traditional home cooking coexist with abundant sugary drinks, refined starches and ultra-processed foods.

At a glance

  • Overweight and obesity: PAHO estimates 75.8% among people aged 15 and older in 2022.
  • Diabetes: estimated prevalence increased from 10.4% in 2000 to 12.5% in 2014.
  • Hypertension: reported adult prevalence was 20.9% in 2015.

Geography, hurricanes and the food supply

Long distances between islands and limited arable land increase dependence on shipping and make food availability vulnerable to storms and port disruption. Hurricane Dorian demonstrated how a disaster can interrupt homes, clinics, electricity, refrigeration and food distribution simultaneously. Resilience requires protected water supplies, decentralized storage and stronger local agriculture and fisheries.

A practical direction

Healthy change should build on Bahamian foods rather than portray the national cuisine as the problem. Schools, clinics and tourism businesses can increase purchasing from local growers and fishers; water and unsweetened drinks can become the default; and primary care can connect diabetes, blood-pressure, kidney and fatty-liver screening with continuing treatment.

Selected authoritative sources


Caribbean navigation: CaribbeanPuerto RicoJamaicaTrinidad and TobagoDominican RepublicHaitiCubaBarbadosSaint LuciaGrenadaAntigua and BarbudaThe BahamasDominicaSaint Kitts and NevisSaint Vincent and the Grenadines

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