Global Health Paper: Obesity in South Africa

Obesity is a global health issue that affects our people globally and heavily. It is estimated that an epidemic affects 500 million people, with numbers broadening quicker by the minute. One billion people (globally) are expected to be obese by the year 2030 (Veerman, Sartorius et al., 2015). This health concern has been a big issue in the U.S. for men, but it has only recently started to make concerns in South Africa. Thanks to their under-nutrition, Aids, and tuberculosis outbreak, this problem has minimally affected sub-Saharan Africa.

However, South Africa has seen a rapid incline in overweight and obesity, due to recent events over the years. The high prevalence of obesity in this country is probably explained by socio-cultural, environmental and behavioral factors including socio-economic status (Veerman, Sartorius, et al., 2015). It has caused a number of non-communicable diseases to become an emerging presence in their country due to the increase in obesity in South Africa.

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To describe this health problem a little more, it's becoming a norm in this country today to see overweight and obese people. This health problem affects more than 70 percent of women in their country to narrow it down to a specific category; making it clear that this health problem has more effect on the population of women than men. Though not just in women we see it, in South Africa 1 in 4 girls is either overweight or obese (HSFSA et al., 2016). Studies show that 'in a survey of adolescent girls and women aged 15 years and older living in urban areas in 6 African countries from 1992 to 2003, obesity rates rose from 17.5%to 25.4%' (Reddy, James, et al., 2012).

Diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and various cancers are becoming a common risk factor in their country today with these rising numbers in obesity. All this blends in one question, 'What triggers this health concern?' Due to the increased urbanization worldwide, people are developing a more westernized diet, it's said. South Africa is becoming a more socio-economic society, and it is beginning to care about the status of things, much like America. Despite people falling less active and eating high in fiber and vegetables, they have become used to being high in fat foods and carbs.

The rise in obesity is now a global health issue. Women and girls, aged 15 and older, are the most targeted in South Africa. Nevertheless, men and boys are affected, not just as often progressively. I assume that this health problem stems from the country's urbanization, their diets are becoming more westernized and they don't get the right nutrients they once were. With this rapidly increasing number of obesity in this country standing from 2003-2014, I would say that it could be harder to predict a change in this. Studies show that by 2030 10.2% of the population will become obese. The development of more westernized food places and increasing urbanization of rural areas will make it more difficult for this country to change. With them, these foods are so fresh that it will be some time before the rate of obesity is under control. Perhaps by 2030, the 10.2%t would transition to a fall rather than a rise. 

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