Obesity in Africa: Fighting a growing scourge

Obesity is a global health problem that affects all regions of the world, including Africa. Although obesity is often associated with developed countries, it is increasingly concerning in developing countries, where the obesity rate has risen significantly over the past decades.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 12% of African adults are obese. In 2019, a harsh reality emerged: Africa was home to an alarming 24% of the world’s population of overweight children under five. This persistent and pervasive problem continues to draw attention, especially as its prevalence increases each year.

What is obesity?

Obesity or being overweight is defined as an excess of body fat that can affect health.

It is important to distinguish between overweight and obesity. Body Mass Index (BMI) is used to do this. It is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared. Overweight corresponds to a BMI greater than 25 and less than 30, while a BMI greater than 30 corresponds to obesity.

Obesity is a major health problem in many countries, including developed nations. As of 2017, more than 4 million people died each year as a result of overweight or obesity, according to a global burden of disease study. However, for a long time, Africa was considered spared from this epidemic.

Why has the prevalence of obesity increased so much in Africa?

For years, obesity appeared to be a health issue limited to wealthy countries. However, recent research shows that obesity is on the rise in Africa. The causes of obesity in Africa are multiple and include changes in lifestyle and eating habits.

Sedentary lifestyles, combined with diets high in fats and sugars, are the primary dr