Fat and fatter: Fast food is triggering an obesity epidemic in Africa

The African continent is growing ever more obese

Obesity is spreading in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, according to a new study that blames westernised lifestyles and warns of health problems to come.

Fast pace urbanization, crave for foreign culture as well as expanding incomes of people on the continent leads them to patronise fast foods.

Fast foods in developed economies have led to an increasing overweight and obesity levels just as seen across Africa.

 

Poor and inadequate health facilities to deal with the challenge are already being stretched.

Over the last few years, big fast food brands like Burger King, McDonald’s, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Subway have flooded the food industry on the continent to take advantage of the expanding middle class in Africa.

Countries such as Egypt, Ghana,South Africa and Nigeria keep recording high levels of obesity.

According to report released by the Malabo Montpellier Panel, children in Africa are taking in high-sugar, energy-dense, processed foods that are cheap in cost but lower in nutrients.

Although the continent has over 233 million hungry people on a daily basis obesity is still high.

Obesity among 7- to 11-year-olds increased from 4% in 1990 to 7% in 2011 and is expected to reach 11% in 2025.

The change in eating habits is also seen among older middle-class Africans, who are increasingly desk-bound and are not engage in much physical activity such as sports.

The Malabo Panel said there was an “urgent need to raise awareness and to address the emerging burden of obesity among segments of the African population.”

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