Obesity-not just a cosmetic problem
Almost half of South Africans over the age of 15 are overweight or obese, according to a survey.
October 15 to 19 marks the commemoration National Obesity Week aimed at increasing awareness about the impact of obesity in the lives of South Africans.
A landmark survey has revealed that almost half of South Africans over the age of 15 are overweight or obese.
According to Health Systems Trust, these statistics on obesity are becoming increasingly comparable with those of the United States, where 61 percent of the population is obese or overweight.
South Africa’s first national demographic and health survey indicated that 25 percent of its citizens fell into the overweight category, with a Body Mass Index in excess of 25, while 20 percent fell into the obese category, with a BMI of more than 30.
At 30 percent, black women have the highest incidence of obesity, followed closely by white women at 26,3 percent, coloured women at 25,3 percent and Indian women at 21 percent.
White South African men scored the highest on the obesity scale at 19,8 percent, while coloured men followed at 10 percent.
Black men and Indian men scored nine percent and 8,6 percent respectively.
Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health.
A person with a Body Mass Index of 30 or more is generally considered obese.
We spoke to a health expert, Dr Portia Matukane who emphasized that obesity is not a cosmetic issue but raises a huge risk for other health problems.
Here are some of the problems that might arise due to obesity:
*Heart disease and stroke.
*High blood pressure.
*Diabetes.
*Some cancers.
*Gallbladder disease and gallstones.
*Osteoarthritis.
*Gout.
*Breathing problems, such as sleep apnea (when a person stops breathing for short episodes during sleep) and asthma.
Matukane advises people to adopt a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy and exercising as they increase their chances of living a longer healthy life.
Credit: https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/obe/risks
