World Obesity Day - The Heart and Stroke Foundation SA

World Obesity Day (WOD), conceptualized and driven by the World Obesity Federation (WOF) is a global health campaign, observed annually on the 4th of March, to raise awareness about the complexity of obesity.

There are various biological, psycho-social, and structural factors that contribute to an individual becoming overweight or obese. The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA), a member of the WOF, is working with regional and global organizations to achieve a greater impact on obesity reduction in order to mobilize for action based on the WOD 2023 theme: “Changing perspectives: let us talk about obesity.” 

Our goal is to change perspectives, to correct misconceptions, end stigma and get everybody making the decision to shift from single views to shared strategies. When we all talk, debate, and share, we can transform health outcomes for everybody.

In the South African context an estimated 31% of men, 68% of women, and 13.5% of children are classified as overweight or obese (Statistics SA, 2020). 

People and children living with obesity are at greater risk of other chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers.

People with obesity are constantly shamed and blamed for their disease. This is because many people - including doctors, policymakers, and others - do not understand that obesity is a chronic disease. They see it as a simple lack of willpower, laziness, or a refusal to "eat less and move more". But like all chronic diseases, the root causes of obesity run much deeper.

The complex causes of obesity can be genetic, psychological, sociocultural, economic, and environmental. We live in an obesogenic environment where it’s so easy to become overweight that it is becoming the norm rather than the exception. What does this obesogenic environment look like? The population at large is constantly bombarded with unhealthy foods.  We face this at supermarket tills, on our phones, and on oversized billboards.  In selected cultures being voluptuous is rewarded and you may be marginalized for eating healthy food.

Healthier food options are sometimes more expensive than junk food, hence consumed more often. You are constantly rushing and take-outs are easier than home-cooked meals. . You sit in front of a desk, a till, or a steering wheel for hours every day. This sedentary way of life leads to poor health outcomes and slows down one's metabolism often resulting in being overweight or obese. 

Biological factors leading to obesity are often not well understood by the general public. We have no control over some of the biological factors that promote obesity. Poor nutrition when you were a child, even as an unborn baby makes you more likely to be overweight later in life. When you grow up facing hunger your body is primed for a lifetime of famine and less equipped to deal with an onslaught of unhealthy food. Not being breastfed, and having overweight parents with emotional connections to food, all have a lifelong impact.

We all have a role to play in supporting and advocating for people living with being overweight or obese.

The Foundations Health Promotion Manager, Joanna Durugiah, and Nutrition Team Leader, Hayley Cimring encourage South Africans to consume food products that are recommended by the Foundation as part of a healthy meal plan. 

 Prof Naidoo encourages members of the public to access the information on our website and attend the webinar we have planned for WOD 2023.

Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can fight the obesity epidemic. 

For more information visit www.heartfoundation.co.za.  or  www.worldobesityday.org 

or www.facebook.com/HeartStrokeSA, www.twitter.com/SAHeartStroke  and www.instagram.com/heartstrokesa_