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Health & Well-Being
OBESITY
– an escalating health problem worldwide
besity is defined by the
South Africa is rapidly catching World Health Organisation
up to America when it comes Oas ‘abnormal or excessive fat
accumulation that presents a risk to
to obesity. Furthermore, we are health’. It is most commonly measured
starting to see childhood obesity by one’s body mass index (BMI) and is
escalating, which is leading to caused by a variety of factors, including
increased health issues among mental health, genetic predisposition,
environment, and diet, including access
many South Africans. to ultra-processed foods. As such, the
condition is not necessarily due to lack
of willpower, however healthy lifestyle
choices are fundamental in keeping
obesity at bay.
“We need to start improving our
lifestyles and influence our children to
be more active. Eating healthier during
the winter months is a perfect way to
start,” says personal trainer and fitness
guru Ezethu ‘Ezzy’ Salaze.
According to Ezzy, over the past
few years, she has noticed a ‘severe’
increase in obesity – especially among
younger people. “Obesity is nothing
to play with. It affects your life, your
health, your confidence and your
longevity. Simple tasks like walking
up or down a flight of stairs become
a challenge. Now, I do realise that
some individuals are predisposed to
being ‘bigger’ in terms of their weight,
but even so, there is no excuse for
neglecting one’s health,” she says.
In a survey conducted by Statistics
South Africa, the prevalence of
hypertension, overweight, and obesity
appears to have increased since 1998.
The survey revealed that the body mass
index (BMI) score indicated that 68% of
women and 31% of men in South Africa
are overweight or obese.
A major concern is the high prevalence
of severe obesity among South African
women. One in five women has a BMI
≥ 35.0 which places her in the severely
obese category. In addition, 46% of
women and 44% of men (aged 15 years
18 • Issue 6 2022 • The Villager
