SD RATED 2ND HIGHEST OBESE NATION IN AFRICA

MBABANE – Swaziland has been ranked as a country with the second highest percentage of obese people in Africa.
The information is contained in the WHO non-communicable diseases (NDC) country profile.

The Seychelles is reported to have the highest percentage of obese people.
Obese should not be confused with ‘overweight’.

An obese person has a Body Mass Index (BMI) higher than an overweight one.
BMI is the ratio of the weight in relation to the height.

Despite that the majority of Swazis still live below the breadline, a considerable number of the population is considered obese.
Though it may be sometimes viewed as a sign of wealth, health experts according to WHO, say obesity is the leading cause of death worldwide, with increasing rates in adults and children.

According to the ministry, obesity is also affecting children, though it was previously considered to affect mostly adults.
Dr Simon Zwane, the Principal Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Health, said these statistics were worrisome.

He said a recent Demographic Health Survey (DHS) showed that obesity in Swaziland was on the increase.
The PS said diet was a contributing factor to obesity.

He said the main challenge was that even children were now being affected.
Zwane said the ministry would embark on measures to help reduce the rate of obesity.

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