Obesity is also a problem in South Africa
Obesity is not a problem confined to the rich nations. In Africa, a growing number of people also suffer from this disease. According to researchers, the trend is detrimental to the fragile economies of the continent.
Zandile Mchiza, Council for Research in the Humanities (HSRC) of South Africa, found that both lack and excess food are evident in poor African communities, both phenomena are interrelated.
"Obesity can cause all sorts of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, heart disease and various cancers. This can have several implications for the economies of the countries," Mchiza.
The expert led a research project that studied the extent of the problem of obesity in Africa.
"An obese farm worker is as productive as one with a healthy weight level. That person will not be able to travel long distances or stand in one place for a long period of time while performing tasks. The lack of productivity due to obesity may therefore damage the economy of a country, "he said.
The disease can also cause absenteeism, it said. "If you're obese, you probably go to the doctor more often compared to healthy people, especially if you suffer from related diseases. It also undermines productivity and affect the economy if it occurs on a large scale," he said.
To determine if someone is obese or overweight body mass index (BMI) which is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared physics is used.
It is generally considered that a person is overweight if you weigh more than 25 kilos per square meter, and obese if their BMI exceeds 30 kilos per square meter.
A high prevalence of obesity can put extra pressure on already strained public health systems on the continent, warned Mchiza. Many African nations suffer shortage of medical personnel and money for hospitals and clinics.
"If more people use the system already overburdened public health care because of problems associated with obesity, governments may be forced to spend more on treatment of preventable diseases. This could lead to fewer money available for housing, education and other priorities, "according Mchiza.
No one knows exactly the number of obese African, because they are not been much research on the matter.
"Most of the available information has to do with the situation in South Africa. This is due to the good quality of the communications infrastructure and technology in the country, and how different government departments are organized," said .
"This is not the case in most other countries where it is difficult to obtain information on obesity," added Mchiza. His research, conducted in 2008 and 2009, was based primarily on a review of the demographic and health surveys in African countries published between 2003 and 2007.
Mchiza found that obesity was more common among women and adolescents. "They are much more likely to be obese, as large bodies are associated with beauty and status in many African cultures," he said.
Reportedly, Egypt is the African country with the highest obesity problem (affecting 35.7 percent of adult women), followed by South Africa (27.4 percent), Swaziland (23.1 percent), Mauritania (16.4 percent), Lesotho (16.1 percent) and Namibia (11.7 percent).
Below Ghana (9.3 percent), Republic of Congo (7.5 percent) and Zimbabwe (7.2 percent) are located.
Rising levels of obesity are partly to do with the changing patterns of life under the influence of Western culture, such as the option for the "junk food" over traditional dishes.
The food prices are also a factor. "A plate of chips is usually cheaper than a balanced meal," said Mchiza. "Africans have moved away from traditional diets to turn to convenience foods (the easy preparation) and fast food."
One of the countries where obesity is a problem, although not to find in the list of Mchiza is Botswana.
A study by the University of Botswana, about 20.3 percent of adolescents in the country, between 11 and 19 years are overweight or obese.
"Approximately 21.5 percent of students classified as overweight or obese were women," said Segametsi Maruapula, lecturer in the Department of Education in Home Economics at the University and director of research. "Just 18 percent were men," he added.
The food industry is partially responsible for the problem in Botswana, said Maruapula. "People today eat more refined foods that are rich in fats and sugars. We're not just talking about fast food such as hamburgers and hot dogs, but also savory snacks and convenience foods."
"Half of the young people we interviewed told us that eating fast food regularly. Around 26 per cent reported that they ate once a day and 18 percent did so once a week. The problem with fast food and food convenience is that they are very accessible, promoted and cheap, "he added.
Maruapula argued that the fast food industry should be responsible for the overwhelming obesity in the workforce. "The industry will need to work more closely with health professionals to see how to make their products more healthy," he said.
"Health is not just a task for workers. It is also the responsibility of the food industry," he said. Mchiza recognized that fast food was a factor in the problem, but not the only one.
"It is the consumer who chooses. Companies like McDonald ?? s have presented new healthier products, but many people prefer the fattier" he said.
Obesity is not a problem confined to the rich nations. In Africa, a growing number of people also suffer from this disease. According to researchers, the trend is detrimental to the fragile economies of the continent.
Zandile Mchiza, Council for Research in the Humanities (HSRC) of South Africa, found that both lack and excess food are evident in poor African communities, both phenomena are interrelated.
"Obesity can cause all sorts of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, heart disease and various cancers. This can have several implications for the economies of the countries," Mchiza.
The expert led a research project that studied the extent of the problem of obesity in Africa.
"An obese farm worker is as productive as one with a healthy weight level. That person will not be able to travel long distances or stand in one place for a long period of time while performing tasks. The lack of productivity due to obesity may therefore damage the economy of a country, "he said.
The disease can also cause absenteeism, it said. "If you're obese, you probably go to the doctor more often compared to healthy people, especially if you suffer from related diseases. It also undermines productivity and affect the economy if it occurs on a large scale," he said.
To determine if someone is obese or overweight body mass index (BMI) which is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared physics is used.
It is generally considered that a person is overweight if you weigh more than 25 kilos per square meter, and obese if their BMI exceeds 30 kilos per square meter.
A high prevalence of obesity can put extra pressure on already strained public health systems on the continent, warned Mchiza. Many African nations suffer shortage of medical personnel and money for hospitals and clinics.
"If more people use the system already overburdened public health care because of problems associated with obesity, governments may be forced to spend more on treatment of preventable diseases. This could lead to fewer money available for housing, education and other priorities, "according Mchiza.
No one knows exactly the number of obese African, because they are not been much research on the matter.
"Most of the available information has to do with the situation in South Africa. This is due to the good quality of the communications infrastructure and technology in the country, and how different government departments are organized," said .
"This is not the case in most other countries where it is difficult to obtain information on obesity," added Mchiza. His research, conducted in 2008 and 2009, was based primarily on a review of the demographic and health surveys in African countries published between 2003 and 2007.
Mchiza found that obesity was more common among women and adolescents. "They are much more likely to be obese, as large bodies are associated with beauty and status in many African cultures," he said.
Reportedly, Egypt is the African country with the highest obesity problem (affecting 35.7 percent of adult women), followed by South Africa (27.4 percent), Swaziland (23.1 percent), Mauritania (16.4 percent), Lesotho (16.1 percent) and Namibia (11.7 percent).
Below Ghana (9.3 percent), Republic of Congo (7.5 percent) and Zimbabwe (7.2 percent) are located.
Rising levels of obesity are partly to do with the changing patterns of life under the influence of Western culture, such as the option for the "junk food" over traditional dishes.
The food prices are also a factor. "A plate of chips is usually cheaper than a balanced meal," said Mchiza. "Africans have moved away from traditional diets to turn to convenience foods (the easy preparation) and fast food."
One of the countries where obesity is a problem, although not to find in the list of Mchiza is Botswana.
A study by the University of Botswana, about 20.3 percent of adolescents in the country, between 11 and 19 years are overweight or obese.
"Approximately 21.5 percent of students classified as overweight or obese were women," said Segametsi Maruapula, lecturer in the Department of Education in Home Economics at the University and director of research. "Just 18 percent were men," he added.
The food industry is partially responsible for the problem in Botswana, said Maruapula. "People today eat more refined foods that are rich in fats and sugars. We're not just talking about fast food such as hamburgers and hot dogs, but also savory snacks and convenience foods."
"Half of the young people we interviewed told us that eating fast food regularly. Around 26 per cent reported that they ate once a day and 18 percent did so once a week. The problem with fast food and food convenience is that they are very accessible, promoted and cheap, "he added.
Maruapula argued that the fast food industry should be responsible for the overwhelming obesity in the workforce. "The industry will need to work more closely with health professionals to see how to make their products more healthy," he said.
"Health is not just a task for workers. It is also the responsibility of the food industry," he said. Mchiza recognized that fast food was a factor in the problem, but not the only one.
"It is the consumer who chooses. Companies like McDonald ?? s have presented new healthier products, but many people prefer the fattier" he said.
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