Everybody knows it. Stress, lack of physical activity and a bad diet are some of the reasons giving rise to obesity. However, few seem to be actively counteracting this disturbing trend as obesity figures continue to rise.
Prof Tessa van der Merwe of the International Association for the Study of Obesity - who is also an academic at the University of Pretoria - warns that obesity-related diseases could decelerate economic growth in many countries, if this medical condition, that costs the eco-nomy 5%-8% of the GDP/year, is not given urgent attention. The problem, she adds, is that "obesity has been viewed as a cosmetic rather than a medical problem. We need to change that perception".
WHAT IT MEANS
 Obesity is not a cosmetic problem
17% of SA children suffer from it
|
Medical aid schemes - such as Discovery, Bonitas and Gems - are taking the issue quite seriously and are now promoting healthy living and preventive health care among their members.
The association notes that the problem has reached crisis levels in SA, with obesity figures sitting above 40%.
Children and unborn babies too are at risk as the society at large fails to address the epidemic, says Dr Tshepo Maaka, a medical specialist and MD at Serokolo. She says children and adults alike should go for health screening programmes regu-larly to monitor their weight and body mass index, a key indicator that measures a healthy body weight.
The Heart and Strike Foundation notes that an alarming 17% of SA children are obese or overweight. This puts the country second only to the US (where prevalence has steamed ahead from 5% in 1974 to current levels of above 20%) - and that should be enough to galvanise SA into action.
But SA presents an embarrassing paradox: a massive 20% of children in the country are said to be suffering from malnutrition.
"Obesity is not only a problem of developed nations but is becoming an increasing problem in countries undergoing epidemiological transition, such as SA, Mexico and south American countries," according to a Medical Research Council's technical report entitled Chronic Diseases of Lifestyle in SA.
"In SA, where undernutrition, poverty, and infectious diseases, such as HIV/Aids and tuberculosis, are realities, the problem of obesity could be viewed as less pressing. However, obesity and its co-morbidities negatively affect the lives of many South Africans and the consequent burden of disease contributes to the increasing cost of health care, both at a state level and in the private sector."
The report suggests that 1,3bn people are affected across the globe - 20m of which are children aged five or younger. Experts are concerned that many people aren't doing much to prevent obesity. Part of the problem, says the MRC report, is the lack of information coupled with sociocultural dynamics.
Childhood obesity is rising mainly because of physical inactivity and bad diets, says Maaka and Van der Merwe. That today's children are increasingly exposed to computers, electronic gadgets, cellphones, movies and other similar forms of entertainment is not helping. Whatever happened to cycling or walking and running?
Maaka decries the fact that schools are becoming the only place where children can engage in physical activity and suggests embracing the outdoor life, which offers numerous benefits.
Says nutritionist Dr Zukiswa Mjame-kwana: "They lock themselves in their rooms glued to their cellphones if not chatting on MXit or staring at the computers. You should see what they eat." She says parents should start educating their children about the dangers of obesity.
Like adults, the majority of affected children face a myriad of other problems: a heightened risk of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, as well as ridicule, which may lead to low self esteem and other emotional problems, says Mjamekwana.
And where to from here?
Van der Merwe suggests food labelling and awareness campaigns. "Doctors should always recommend good nutrition to their patients if they carry excess weight, otherwise how would ordinary people know they are obese? We need a preventative approach."
