President Hugo Chávez urged Venezuelans to eat less in order to avoid obesity.

"Be careful with weight gain!" warned Chávez on Sunday, speaking to Venezuelans during his weekly television and radio program. "We are eating better, that's been proven. We're leaving malnutrition behind. It no longer exists in the country, but be careful with obesity."

Chávez, a self-proclaimed socialist crusader, often dispenses lifestyle advice to supporters. In recent weeks he has spoken out on what he calls the evils of capitalism, including alcoholism, breast implants and violent television programs.