Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Obesity in Africa: A Silent Public Health Crisis

  • Living reference work entry
  • Latest version View entry history
  • First Online:
Metabolic Syndrome

  • 32 Accesses

Abstract

This chapter outlines the epidemiology of overweight and obesity in Africa, their determinants, and the relationship with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and diabetes. The review shows that overweight and obesity rates are increasing in all African regions, with Northern and Southern African regions being the most affected. The rate of overweight and obesity is higher among women than among men and in urban areas than in rural areas although the rates in rural areas are rising rapidly. Socioeconomic status, age, parity, marital status, physical inactivity, body weight perceptions, and increased energy are powerful predictors of overweight and obesity in sub-Saharan Africa. The rapid urbanization accompanied by nutrition transition is changing the disease landscape in Africa, with CVD and its related risk factors gaining a prominent position. Some African countries have partially implemented physical activity, diet, and fiscal policies to address the risk factors of overweight and obesity. The rising levels of overweight and obesity in sub-Saharan Africa are likely to exacerbate the burden of CVD and its risk factors, such as diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia if measures are not taken to curb the problem. Public health strategies focusing on a healthy food environment and diet, physical activity, weight reduction, and maintenance strategies are urgently needed in sub-Saharan African countries.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Abdelaal M, le Roux CW, Docherty NG. Morbidity and mortality associated with obesity. Ann Transl Med. 2017;5(7):1–12. https://doi.org/10.21037/atm.2017.03.107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Abubakari AR, Lauder W, Agyemang C, Jones M, Kirk A, Bhopal RS. Prevalence and time trends in obesity among adult west African populations: A meta-analysis. Obes Rev. 2008;9:297–311. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-789X.2007.00462.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Addae HY, Tahiru R, Azupogo F. Factors associated with overweight or obesity among post-partum women in the tamale Metropolis, northern Ghana: a cross-sectional study. Pan Afr Med J. 2022;41 https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2022.41.238.33359.

  4. Addo J, Smeeth L, Leon DA. Obesity in urban civil servants in Ghana: association with pre-adult wealth and adult socio-economic status. Public Health. 2009;123(5):365–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2009.02.003.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Adedeji OJ, Lucero-Prisnom E III. Taxation on beverages in Nigeria: impact and burden of the new policy. Pop Med. 2022;4:1–2. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.h4047.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Afolabi W, Addo A, Sonibare M. Activity pattern, energy intake, and obesity among Nigerian urban market women. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2004;55:85–90.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Afrifa-Anane GF, Badasu DM, Codjoe SNA, Anarfi JK. Barriers and facilitators of weight management: perspectives of the urban poor in Accra, Ghana. PLoS One. 2022;17(8):e0272274. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0272274.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  8. Agbeko MP, Kumi-Kyereme A, Druye AA, Osei BG. Predictors of overweight and obesity among women in Ghana. Open Obes J. 2013;5:72–81. https://doi.org/10.2174/1876823701305010072.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Agyei A, Yorke E, Boima V. Prevalence of overweight and obesity and its relation to diet and physical activity among medical students in Accra, Ghana. Afr J Health Sci. 2022;35(2):99–113. https://www.ajol.info/index.php/ajhs/article/view/227088

    Google Scholar 

  10. Agyei-Mensah S, de-Graft Aikins A. Epidemiological transition and the double burden of disease in Accra, Ghana. J Urban Health. 2010;87(5):879–97. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-010-9492-y.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  11. Agyemang C. Rural and urban differences in blood pressure and hypertension in Ghana, West Africa. Public Health. 2006;120:525–33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2006.02.002.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Agyemang K, Pokhrel S, Victor C, Anokye NK. Determinants of obesity in West Africa: a systematic review. 2021. MedRxiv, 2021.04.27.21255462. https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.04.27.21255462v1%0Ahttps://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.04.27.21255462v1.abstract%0Ahttps://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.04.27.21255462v1%0Ahttps://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.04.27.212

  13. Ahaibwe G, Abdool Karim S, Thow A-M, Erzse A, Hofman K. Barriers to, and facilitators of, the adoption of a sugar-sweetened beverage tax to prevent non-communicable diseases in Uganda: a policy landscape analysis. 2021; https://doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2021.1892307.

  14. Allen LN, Wigley S, Holmer H. Implementation of non-communicable disease policies from 2015 to 2020: a geopolitical analysis of 194 countries. Lancet Glob Health. 2021;9(11):e1528–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(21)00359-4.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Allison KC, Schweiger U, Pearl R, Nii R, Aryeetey O. Perceptions and experiences of overweight among women in the Ga East District, Ghana. Front Nutr. 2016;3:1. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2016.00013.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Amenyah SD, Michels N. Body size ideals, beliefs and dissatisfaction in Ghanaian adolescents: sociodemographic determinants and intercorrelations. Public Health. 2016;139:112–20.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Amoah AGB. Sociodemographic variations in obesity among Ghanaian adults. Public Health Nutr. 2003;6(8):751–7. https://doi.org/10.1079/PHN2003506.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Aryeetey R, Lartey A, Marquis GS, Nti H, Colecraft E, Brown P. Prevalence and predictors of overweight and obesity among school-aged children in urban Ghana. BMC Obes. 2017;4(1):1–8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40608-017-0174-0.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Asfaw A. Do government food price policies affect the prevalence of obesity? Empirical evidence from Egypt. World Dev. 2007;35:687–701. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2006.05.005.

  20. Asosega KA, Adebanji AO, Abdul IW. Spatial analysis of the prevalence of obesity and overweight among women in Ghana. BMJ Open. 2021;11:e041659. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041659.

  21. Averett SL, Stacey N, Wang Y. Economics and human biology decomposing race and gender differences in underweight and obesity in South Africa. Econ Hum Biol. 2014;15:23–40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ehb.2014.05.003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Awuah RB, Anarfi J, Agyemang C, Ogedegbe G, de-Graft Aikins A. Prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of hypertension in urban poor communities. J Hypertens. 2014;32(6):1203–10.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Ayah R, Joshi MD, Wanjiru R, Njau EK, Otieno CF, Njeru EK, Mutai KK. A population-based survey of prevalence of diabetes and correlates in an urban slum community in Nairobi, Kenya. BMC Public Health. 2013;13:371.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  24. Benkeser RM, Biritwum R, Hill AG. Prevalence of overweight and obesity and perceptions of health and desirable body size in urban, Ghanaian Women. Ghana Med J. 2012;46(2):66–75.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  25. Bergh T. Residue monitoring and control program. Department of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, Republic of South Africa. 2011. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/presentation/5394/dd36e5c4301480f1ad9719dd8be7a582bbca.pdf

  26. Bertram MY, Jaswal AVS, Van Wyk VP, Levitt NS, Hofman KJ. The non-fatal disease burden caused by type 2 diabetes in South Africa, 2009. Bertram Glob Health Action. 2013;6:206–12. https://doi.org/10.3402/gha.v6i0.19244.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Biritwum R, Gyapong J, Mensah G. The epidemiology of obesity in Ghana. Ghana Med J. 2005;39(3):82–5.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  28. Bosu WK. A comprehensive review of the policy and programmatic response to the chronic non-communicable disease in Ghana. Ghana Med J. 2012;46(2):69–78.

    CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  29. Chigbu CO, Aniebue UU, Berger U, Parhofer KG. Impact of perceptions of body size on obesity and weight management behaviour: a large representative population study in an African setting. Public Health. 2019;43(1):54–61. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdz127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Dake F, Tawiah E, Badasu DM. Sociodemographic correlates of obesity among Ghanaian women. Public Health Nutr. 2010;14(7):1285–91. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980010002879.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Daran B, Levasseur P. Is overweight still a problem of rich in sub-Saharan Africa? Insights based on female-oriented demographic and health surveys. World Dev Perspect. 2022;25:100388. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.WDP.2021.100388.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Delisle H, Ntandou-Bouzitou G, Agueh V, Sodjinou R, Fayomi B. Urbanisation, nutrition transition and cardiometabolic risk: the Benin study. Br J Nutr. 2012;107(10):1534–44. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114511004661.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Department of Health. Strategic plan for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases 2013–2017; 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  34. Dietz WH. Reversing the tide of obesity. Lancet. 2011;378(9793):744–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61218-X.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Duda RB, Jumah NA, Hill AG, Seffah J, Biritwum R. Interest in healthy living outweighs presumed cultural norms for obesity for Ghanaian women. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2006;4:44. https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7525-4-44.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  36. Federal Ministry of Health Nigeria. National policy and strategic plan of action on non-communicable diseases; 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  37. Fezeu L, Minkoulou E, Balkau B, Kengne AP, Awah P, Unwin N, Alberti GK, Mbanya JC. Association between socioeconomic status and adiposity in urban Cameroon. Int J Epidemiol. 2006;35:105–11.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Flegal KM, Kit BK, Orpana H. Association of all-cause. Mortality. 2013;309(1):71–82.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Freidberg S. French beans for the masses: A modern historical geography of food in Burkina Faso. J Hist Geogr. 2003;29(3):445–63. https://doi.org/10.1006/jhge.2002.0487.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Gallaher CM, WinklerPrins AMGA, Njenga M, Karanja NK. Creating space: sack gardening as a livelihood strategy in the Kibera slums of Nairobi, Kenya. J Agric Food Syst Community Dev. 2015;5(2):155–73.

    Google Scholar 

  41. Gitau TM, Micklesfield LK, Pettifor JM, Norris SA. Changes in eating attitudes, body esteem and weight control behaviours during adolescence in a south African cohort. PLoS One. 2014;9(10):109709. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0109709.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. Goetjes E, Pavlova M, Hongoro C, Groot W. Socioeconomic inequalities and obesity in South Africa—a decomposition analysis. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(17) https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18179181.

  43. Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1·9 million participants. Lancet Glob Health. 2018;6(10):e1077–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Holdsworth M, Garter A, Landais E, Marie B, Delpeuch F. Perceptions of healthy and desirable body size in urban Senegalese women. Int J Obes. 2004;28(12):1561–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Illiffe J. The African aids epidemic: a history. James Currey; 2006.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  46. Jansen ADA, Stoltz E, Yu D. Improving the targeting of zero-rated basic foodstuffs under value added tax (VAT) in South Africa – an exploratory analysis (07/12; Stellenboach economic working paper, Issue May). 2012. https://www.google.co.za/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiv3uX0_PTXAhXGChoKHSrSB5QQFghIMAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ekon.sun.ac.za%2Fwpapers%2F2012%2Fwp072012%2Fwp-07-2012.pdf&usg=AOvVaw2ijiMXmlml2StZTXP_up9C

  47. Kgaphola MS, Viljoen AT. Food habits of rural Swazi households: part 2: social structural and ideological influences on Swazi food habits. J Fam Ecol Consum Sci. 2004;32:16–25.

    Google Scholar 

  48. Kifleyesus A. Muslims and meals: the social and symbolic functions of foods in changing socio-economic environments. J Int Afr Inst. 2002;72(2):245–76.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Kimani-Murage E, Pettifor J, Tollman S, Kipstein-Grobusch K, Norris S. Predictors of adolescent weight status and central obesity in rural South Africa. Public Health Nutr. 2011;14:1114–22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  50. Kruger HS, Puoane T, Senekal M, van der Merwe M-T. Obesity in South Africa: challenges for government and health professionals. Public Health Nutr. 2005;8(5):491–500. https://doi.org/10.1079/phn2005785.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Kushitor SB, Owusu L, Kushitor MK. The prevalence and correlates of the double burden of malnutrition among women in Ghana. PLoS One. 2020;15(12):1–12. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0244362.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Laar A, Barnes A, Aryeetey R, Tandoh A, Bash K, Mensah K, Zotor F, Vandevijvere S, Holdsworth M. Implementation of healthy food environment policies to prevent nutrition-related non-communicable diseases in Ghana: national experts’ assessment of government action. Food Policy. 2020;93:101907. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2020.101907.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  53. Lartey ST, Magnussen CG, Si L, Boateng GO, de Graaff B, Biritwum RB, Minicuci N, Kowal P, Blizzard L, Palmer AJ. Rapidly increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity in older Ghanaian adults from 2007–2015: evidence from WHO-SAGE waves 1 & 2. PLoS One. 2019;14(8):e0215045. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0215045.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  54. Mackenbach JP, Cavelaars AE, Kunst AE, Groenhof F. Socioeconomic inequalities in cardiovascular disease mortality; an international study. Eur Heart J. 2000;21:1141–51.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. Manafe M, Chelule PK, Madiba S. The perception of overweight and obesity among south African adults: implications for intervention strategies. Public Health. 2022;19 https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912335.

  56. Mangemba NT, Sebastian MS. Societal risk factors for overweight and obesity in women in Zimbabwe: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2020;20(103) https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-8215-x.

  57. Martorell R, Khan LK, Hughes ML, Grummer-Strawn LM. Obesity in women from developing countries. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2000;54(3):247–52. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10713748

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Mauritius Revenue Authority. Excise duty on sugar content of sugar sweetened products. 2015. https://www.mra.mu/index.php/customs1/more-topics/excise-tax-on-sugar-content-of-sugarsweetened-non-alcoholic-beverages. Accessed Sept 2022.

  59. Mayosi BM, Flisher AJ, Lalloo UG, Sitas F, Tollman SM, Bradshaw D. The burden of non-communicable diseases in South Africa. Lancet. 2009;374(9693):934–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(09)61087-4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Medeiros F, Casanova MDA, Fraulob JC, Trindade M. How can diet influence the risk of stroke? Int J Hypertens. 2012:2–9. https://doi.org/10.1155/2012/763507.

  61. Micklesfield LK, Lambert EV, Hume DJ, Chantler S, Paula R, Dickie K, Puoane T, Goedecke JH. Socio-cultural, environmental and behavioural determinants of obesity in black south African women. Cardiovasc J Afr. 2013;24(9):369–75. https://doi.org/10.5830/CVJA-2013-069.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  62. Ministry of Finance. Zambia. Budget address by Honourable Margaret D. Mwanakatwe, MP, Minister of Finance, delivered to the National Assembly on Friday 28th September, 2018; Zambia: Ministry of Finance.

    Google Scholar 

  63. Ministry of Health. National policy for the prevention and control of chronic non-communicable diseases in Ghana (issue august). 2012. https://www.iccp-portal.org/sites/default/files/plans/national_policy_for_the_prevention_and_control_of_chronic_non-communicable_diseases_in_ghana(1).pdf

  64. Ministry of Health & Social Welfare. The Gambia National Health sector strategic plan 2014–2020. 2014. https://extranet.who.int/mindbank/item/5970

  65. Ministry of Health and Hygiene. National integrated program for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases; 2010.

    Google Scholar 

  66. Ministry of Health and Quality of Life Mauritius. National plan of action for nutrition 2009–2010; 2009.

    Google Scholar 

  67. Ministry of Health and social National Services Namibia. Namibian national health policy framework; 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  68. Ministry of Health Ghana. National policy: non-communicable diseases. In Ministry of Health, Ghana (p. 45). 2022. https://www.moh.gov.gh/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Ghana-NCD-Policy-2022.pdf

  69. Ministry of Health Kenya. National strategy for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases 2015–2020; 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  70. Ministry of Health Lesotho. National multi-sectoral integrated strategic plan for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDS) 2014–2020; 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  71. Ministry of Health Rwanda. National food and nutrition policy 2013–2018; 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  72. Ministry of Health Seychelles. Seychelles strategy for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases, 2016–2025; 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  73. Ministry of Health Zambia. Zambian strategic plan 2013–2016. Non-communicable diseases and their risk factors; 2013.

    Google Scholar 

  74. Mkuu RS, Gilreath TD, Wekullo C, Reyes GA, Harvey IS. Social determinants of hypertension and type-2 diabetes in Kenya: A latent class analysis of a nationally representative sample. PLoS One. 2019;14(8):1–10. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0221257.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Mogre V, Mwinlenaa PP, Oladele J, Amalba A. Impact of physical activity levels and diet on central obesity among civil servants in tamale metropolis. J Med Biomed Sci. 2012;1(2):1–9.

    Google Scholar 

  76. Msyamboza PK, Kathyola D, Dzowela T. Anthropometric measurements and prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity in adult Malawians: nationwide population-based NCD STEPS survey. Pan Afr Med J. 2013;15(108) https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2013.15.108.2622.

  77. Mufunda J, Mebrahtu G, Usman A, Nyarango P, Kosia A, Ghebrat Y, Ogbamariam A. The prevalence of hypertension and its relationship with obesity: results from a national blood pressure survey in Eritrea. J Hum Hypertens. 2006;20:59–65. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1001924.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  78. NCD Risk Factor Collaboration (NCD-RisC) – Africa Working Group. Trends in obesity and diabetes across Africa from 1980 to 2014: an analysis of pooled population-based studies. Int J Epidemiol. 2017:1421–32. https://doi.org/10.1093/ije/dyx078.

  79. Nglazi MD, Ataguba JEO. Overweight and obesity in non-pregnant women of childbearing age in South Africa: subgroup regression analyses of survey data from 1998 to 2017. BMC Public Health. 2022;22(1):1–18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-12601-6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  80. Njelekela MA, Mpembeni R, Muhihi A, Mligiliche NL, Spiegelman D, Hertzmark E, Liu E, Finkelstein JL, Fawzi WW, Willett WC, Mtabaji J. Gender-related differences in the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors and their correlates in urban Tanzania. BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2009;9(30):1–8. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2261-9-30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  81. Nyakotey DA, Ananga AS, Apprey C. Assessing physical activity, nutrient intake and obesity in middle-aged adults in Akuse, lower Manya Krobo, Ghana. J Health Res. 2022;36(2):199–208. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHR-03-2020-0068.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  82. Okpechi IG, Chukwuonye II, Tiffin N, Madukwe OO, Onyeonoro UU, Umeizudike TI. Blood pressure gradients and cardiovascular risk factors in urban and rural populations in Abia state south eastern Nigeria using the WHO STEPwise approach. PLoS One. 2013;8(9):4–6. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0073403.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  83. Onubi OJ, Marais D, Aucott L, Okonofua F, Poobalan AS. Maternal obesity in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Public Health. 2015;38(3):e218–31. https://doi.org/10.1093/pubmed/fdv138.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  84. Pobee RA, Owusu WB, Plahar WA. The prevalence of obesity among female teachers of child-bearing age in Ghana. Afr J Food Agric Nutr Dev Res. 2013;13(3):7804–19. http://www.ajfand.net/Volume13/No3/Shenkalwa11850.pdf

    Google Scholar 

  85. Popkin BM, Adair LS, Ng SW. Global nutrition transition and the pandemic of obesity in developing countries. Nutr Rev. 2012;70(1):3–21. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-4887.2011.00456.x.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  86. Pradeilles R, Holdsworth M, Olaitan O, Irache A, Osei-Kwasi HA, Ngandu CB, Cohen E. Body size preferences for women and adolescent girls living in Africa: a mixed-methods systematic review. Public Health Nutr. 2021;25(3):738–59. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980021000768.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  87. Prospective Studies Collaboration. Body-mass index and cause-specific mortality in 900 000 adults: collaborative analyses of 57 prospective studies. Lancet. 2009;373(9669):1083–96. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60318-4.

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  88. Puoane T, Steyn K, Bradshaw D, Laubscher R, Fourie J, Lambert V, Laubscher RIA, Mbananga N. Obesity in South Africa : the south African demographic and health survey. Obes Res. 2002;10(10):1038–48.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  89. Ruhara CM, Abdool KS, Erzse A, Thow AM, Ntirampeba S, Hofman KJ. Strengthening prevention of nutrition-related non-communicable diseases through sugar-sweetened beverages tax in Rwanda: a policy landscape analysis. Glob Health Action. 2021;14(1):1883911.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  90. Rutter H. Where next for obesity? Lancet. 2011;378(9793):746–7. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(11)61272-5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  91. Sanuade OA, Anarfi JK, de-Graft Aikins A, Koram KA. Patterns of cardiovascular disease mortality in Ghana: A 5-year review of autopsy cases at Korle-Bu teaching hospital. Ethn Dis. 2014;24:55.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  92. Shayo GA, Mugusi FM. Prevalence of obesity and associated risk factors among adults in Kinondoni municipal district, Dar Es Salaam Tanzania. BMC Public Health. 2011;11(1):365. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-11-365.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  93. Stacey NM, Edoka I, Hofman K, Swart EC, Popkin B, Ng SW. Changes in beverage purchases following the announcement and implementation of South Africa’s health promotion levy: an observational study. Lancet Planet Health. 2021; https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(20)30304-1.

  94. Steyn N, Mchiza Z. Obesity and the nutrition transition in sub-Saharan Africa. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2014;1311:88–101. https://doi.org/10.1111/nyas.12433.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  95. Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Obesity in South Africa 2015–2020. 2015.

    Google Scholar 

  96. Tibazarwa K, Ntyintyane L, Sliwa K, Gerntholtz T, Carrington M, Wilkinson D, Stewart S. A time bomb of cardiovascular risk factors in South Africa: Results from the Heart of Soweto Study “Heart Awareness Days.”. Int J Cardiol. 2009;132(2):233–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijcard.2007.11.067.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  97. Todaro M, Smith S. Economic development. 12th ed. Pearson Education; 2015.

    Google Scholar 

  98. Tumwesigye NM, Mutungi G, Bahendeka S, Wesonga R, Katureebe A, Biribawa C, Guwatudde D. Alcohol consumption, hypertension and obesity: relationship patterns along different age groups in Uganda. Prev Med Rep. 2020;19(February):101141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2020.101141.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  99. UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Trends in tertiary education: sub-Saharan Africa. 2010. http://www.uis.unesco.org/FactSheets/Documents/fs10-2010-en.pdf

  100. Wariri O, Alhassan JAK, Mark G, Adesiyan O, Hanson L. Trends in obesity by socioeconomic status among non-pregnant women aged 15-49 y: A cross-sectional, multi-dimensional equity analysis of demographic and health surveys in 11 sub-Saharan Africa countries, 1994-2015. Int Health. 2021;13(5):436–45. https://doi.org/10.1093/inthealth/ihaa093.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  101. WHO. Global strategy on diet, physical activity and health. 2004. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9241592222

  102. WHO. Reducing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages to reduce the risk of childhood overweight and obesity. 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  103. WHO. Fiscal policies for diet and prevention of noncommunicable diseases. Technical meeting report. Geneva. 2015.

    Google Scholar 

  104. WHO. Obesity and overweight: key facts. 2021. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight. Accessed 10 Nov 2023.

  105. Yaya S, Anjorin S, Okolie EA. Obesity burden by socioeconomic measures between 2000 and 2018 among women in sub-Saharan Africa: A cross-sectional analysis of demographic and health surveys. Obes Sci Pract. 2022:1–10. https://doi.org/10.1002/osp4.595.

  106. Ziraba AK, Fotso JC, Ochako R. Overweight and obesity in urban Africa: A problem of the rich or the poor? BMC Public Health. 2009;9:1–9. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-9-465.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Public & Occupational Health, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Charles Agyemang

  2. Department of Community Health, Ensign Global College, Kpong, Ghana

    Sandra Boatemaa Kushitor

  3. Centre for Sustainability Transitions and Department of Food Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa

    Sandra Boatemaa Kushitor

  4. Department of Environment and Public Health, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Ghana

    Grace Frempong Afrifa-Anane

  5. Regional Institute for Population Studies, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana

    Ama de-Graft Aikins

Authors
  1. Charles Agyemang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sandra Boatemaa Kushitor
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Grace Frempong Afrifa-Anane
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ama de-Graft Aikins
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Charles Agyemang .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA

    Rexford S. Ahima

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2023 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Agyemang, C., Kushitor, S.B., Afrifa-Anane, G.F., de-Graft Aikins, A. (2023). Obesity in Africa: A Silent Public Health Crisis. In: Ahima, R.S. (eds) Metabolic Syndrome. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12125-3_5-2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12125-3_5-2

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-12125-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-12125-3

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference MedicineReference Module Medicine

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Chapter history

  1. Latest

    Obesity in Africa: A Silent Public Health Crisis
    Published:
    27 July 2023

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12125-3_5-2

  2. Original

    Obesity in Sub-Saharan Africa
    Published:
    21 July 2015

    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12125-3_5-1

Search

Navigation