Photos: Spanish town aims to shed 100,000 kilos by 2020

The Spanish town of Naron has set itself the ultimate weight loss challenge: by early 2020, its residents must shed 100,000 kilos collectively. This slimming programme initiated by a family doctor, Carlos Pineiro kicked off in January and aims to promote healthy lifestyles and reduce public health spending. Perched on the Atlantic coast of the Galicia region, the 40,000-strong town counts 9,000 overweight residents and another 3,000 who suffer from obesity and is the most overweight region in the country. More than 4,000 residents -- or a tenth of the population -- have joined the project.

Updated on: Sep 29, 2018 10:22 AM IST

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A 63-year-old family doctor Carlos Pineiro weighs a woman at the town’s health centre in Naron, Spain. The town has set itself the ultimate weight loss challenge: by early 2020, its residents must shed 100,000 kilos. Gone are bacon and fried calamari from the diets of thousands of residents in Naron who are taking to sport again as part of a slimming programme that kicked off in January. (Miguel Riopa / AFP)

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Pineiro, the doctor behind programme said that in the 21st century, people have forgotten they’re made to walk. Perched on the Atlantic coast of the Galicia region, the 40,000-strong town counts 9,000 overweight residents and another 3,000 who suffer from obesity. Known for its gastronomy and often gargantuan dishes, Galicia has Spain’s most overweight people, according to the Spanish Society of Cardiology. (Miguel Riopa / AFP)

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To show her support to the project Marian Ferreiro, mayor of Naron and her municipal councillors also weighed themselves together in public on giant scales. More than 4,000 residents have joined the project. The programme, drawn up by local doctors, offers personalised diets and physical activity adapted to those who adhere. (Miguel Riopa / AFP)

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Women seen out for a walk in a park. Maria Teresa Rodriguez, 55 said in March, she weighed 82 kilos, now 70. Every day, she walks or does gymnastics for an hour and a half, and has started dancing on Fridays since her “legs no longer hurt.” (Miguel Riopa / AFP)

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In the town, 18 restaurants now offer healthier dishes by promoting an Atlantic-style diet full of seafood. “I replace salt with algae, fish infusions or a simple dehydrated mussel, and butter with virgin olive oil,” said Diego Platas, a 37-year-old restaurant owner as he cooked a local mackerel. (Miguel Riopa / AFP)

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Earlier this month, the World Health Organization warned that obesity and the growing proportion of people who are overweight risked reversing the general trend of rising life expectancy in Europe. In Spain, the topic regularly comes up. Pineiro said that it’s not at all easy to convince adults but he is hopeful that children will catch on. (Miguel Riopa / AFP)

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At the Jorge Juan school in Naron, pupils are being encouraged to live a healthy lifestyle in a pilot programme in the town. During recess, “we go out to the seaside promenade” with the youngsters, says Maria Jose Cazorla, a 55-year-old teacher, who has lost 14 kilos in a year. (Miguel Riopa / AFP)

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The school’s 224 students are given the option of doing sport for one hour every day and those who are reticent can ride an exercise bike for an activity called “I pedal while reading.” Those who live nearby are encouraged to walk or cycle to school, or ride scooters, wearing special electronic bracelets that let parents know when they have arrived. (Miguel Riopa / AFP)

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A teacher teaches gymnastics to his pupils. The slogan “get addicted to fruit” adorns the walls of the school and fruit is given out every morning. Pineiro said that they don’t ever talk about weight directly to the children, as it would have a stigmatising effect. Beyond the 100,000-kilo weight loss challenge, he hopes residents will adopt healthy lifestyles which would also reduce health spending. (Miguel Riopa / AFP)