Obesity affects over 8% of Zambians, foundation calls for action

The Zambia Heart and Stroke Foundation has raised concern over the country’s obesity rate, which stands at 8.3 percent of the population, according to the Global Obesity Observatory’s 2020 report.

Speaking during the commemoration of World Obesity Day in Lusaka on Monday, Foundation Volunteer, Grace Tembo, emphasized that while the percentage may appear small, it translated to hundreds of thousands of Zambians living with obesity and many more at risk of related non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

“Obesity is a chronic, complex disease marked by excessive fat deposits that can harm health. The Zambia National Health Strategic Plan 2022–2026 identifies obesity as a significant concern, particularly among children and women,” Tembo stated.

She attributed the growing obesity rates to a preference for fast foods and unhealthy lifestyle choices, which are modifiable factors.

Tembo also highlighted that the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified obesity as one of the most pressing public health challenges globally.

“Tackling obesity through prevention and care serves as a rallying cry for governments, health systems, and communities to prioritize addressing this issue,” she said.

Tembo noted that in 2022, one in eight people globally lived with obesity, with adult obesity more than doubling since 1990 and adolescent obesity quadrupling.

According to WHO, 2.5 billion adults were overweight in 2022, with 890 million classified as obese. Additionally, 37 million children under the age of five were overweight.

Executive Secretary of the Foundation, Brendah Chitindi, described obesity as one of Zambia’s most pressing health issues, impacting not only individuals but entire health systems.

“It is essential to understand the significance of these systems. Today, we have an opportunity to share knowledge and collaborate with policymakers from various government ministries to find effective solutions to address obesity in Zambia,” Chitindi said.

She said: “World Obesity Day was marked annually on March 4, and this year’s theme was “Changing Systems — Healthier Lives.”

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