Globally 2.1 billion people are overweight or obese, or just over 30% of the world\u2019s population – however, the situation is much worse in South Africa, according to new statistics published by Discovery Vitality.<\/p>\n
“The big picture is worse in South Africa. Nearly 70% of South African women and 31% of South African men are overweight or obese,” said Dr Craig Nossel, head of Wellness at Vitality.<\/p>\n
“And worryingly, 13% of South African children are overweight, which is twice the global average,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Nossel added that unhealthy diets are responsible for more deaths than any other risk globally, yet improvement in diet could prevent 1 in 5 deaths.<\/p>\n
Some sobering stats include that physical inactivity is responsible for 9% of premature deaths worldwide, yet 31% of adults worldwide (50% of South Africans) are physically inactive, he said.<\/p>\n
“And we are eating the wrong types of food. In high-income countries, 50% of the kilojoule intake comes from ultra-processed foods and drinks. South Africans are eating twice the amount of sugar recommended (6 to 12 tsp a day),” he said.<\/p>\n
“South Africans are also spending R41 billion on fast food per year, and 82% of teenagers are eating fast food at least once a week.”<\/p>\n
Changing diets<\/strong><\/p>\n Nossel said that countless global studies highlight the critical role of nutrition in helping to reduce the overwhelming burden of disease on society.<\/p>\n “Numerous studies show, for example, that cutting down on processed meats reduces cancer risk,” he said.<\/p>\n “The benefits of including more plant foods for heart health and reducing the risk of diabetes, are also well supported.”<\/p>\n Nossel said that Vitality advocates for a diet that gives preference to:<\/p>\n\n
\n