In many African cultures, the great belly has traditionally shown wealth and happiness. However, this long -term harvest is now fatal because obesity -related diseases become the main death.
In Kenya, the relationship between weight and situation is especially evident. Overweight politicians often obtain “boss” or “mkubwa” – Swahili for the “great man” – a term that reflects the cultural view of funeral as a symbol of success. This impression, however, shows a growing health crisis. Obesity helps significantly in non -communicable diseases such as diabetes, which is now the main cause of death in Kenya. According to the Kenya Ministry of Health, these diseases make up 39 % annually.
This worrying process has changed the attitude, especially among younger politicians. Leaders such as Nairobi and Mambasa governors have begun to discuss their weight loss trips, challenge traditional views, and highlight the importance of a healthy lifestyle. This reflects a potential milestone in culture whose weight has long been equal to wealth, indicating the increasing awareness of the serious health risks related to obesity.
In a country where the government has said almost one -third of the population is still unable to meet the nutritional needs, 13 % of obese adults are based on the Atlas of Global Obesity 2025. This contrast highlights the country’s increasing inequality and the popularity of fast and processed foods by those who show increased income.
Harvesting of obesity can affect financial and other decisions. In the neighborhood of Uganda, micro -financing institutions gained loan applicants based on their weight, and based on a study published by US Economic Review in 2023, their overweight was able to repay the loan.
“Most people feel when I start earning money,” said Kenya’s nutritionist. “However, they do not know that they are prone to these lifestyle conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.”
The director of the World Health Organization, with the world’s youngest and fastest growing population, has called the increase in the “time bomb” for the continent.
Some are trying to change the conversation about weight. A former senator in Kenya, Cleophas Malala, has explained how a 15 -hour flight to the United States left him and how doctors advised him to reduce.
From the weighed of 138kg (304 pounds), he began a non -solid diet for 90 days. Although he did not disclose his current weight, the photos before and then make him significantly narrower.
The 39 -year -old said: “My colleagues in parliament became angry that I left the club after weight loss.”
Stephen Ogono, a childhood obesity and later became a public health defender, said most Kenya’s lawmakers do not see this as a problem.
“These discussions are held in parliament, which most MPs have, and therefore confesses that this is a good place to start,” he said.
Kenya President William Rutto has talked about the need for work. He was forced to assure the Kenyans in 2023 that it was good after speculation about his health to lose weight.
“I decided to reduce it because it was not easy to do,” he told journalists.
Increasing revenues, proliferation of fast food media in urban areas, immobility lifestyle and lack of infrastructure that increase physical activity have been identified as possible reasons for increased obesity in developing countries.
“We have to make sure that when we get away from food shortages, we are not going wrong with the food groups,” said Miriam Lacker Octa, a Kampala -based doctor.
“Public health campaigns help to deform this understanding of wealth,” said Caroline Caroline Caroline Kiri for Project Echo, a platform for information sharing for health care workers.
Bodybuilding, weight loss and surgery are increasingly promoted in Kenya.
But approaches such as the OzemPic Ozempic have made some users, such as Caroline Hawi. Instead, he said, he turned to a diet and hopes to ultimately lose weight from 105 kg to 70 “without spending too much.”
According to WHO, in South Africa, obesity -related deaths due to non -contagious diseases have gone beyond HIV deaths. The 32 % of South African adults are obese.
“The notion that weighs a symbol of wealth is slowly changing,” said Rebone NTSIE, the National Ministry of Health.
“There are those who still see this, but people also see the dangers and are no longer celebrated as a sign of dignity, beauty, respect, social status,” he said.
