Written by: Zama Ngcoya

According to the Health Systems Trust, the report indicates that Dietary Changes and the Health Transition in South Africa: Implications for Health Policy, 17 % of children between the ages of one and nine were either overweight or obese. Obesity in South African women ranged from 21% to 31% in different population groups. Of all South African men, 20% were considered overweight. For the ethnic groups, obesity was highest in black women and white men.

Although the concept of obesity is one which is often heard as it is usually loosely used to describe individuals that are stout, it is also one which is seldom understood in depth.

For Nonhlanhla Gumede, being overweight is no stranger to her as she has been living life as “a big girl” since she was a toddler.

“My life as a fat person has always been normal for me because I have never been exposed to a life where I was slim. So being fat, for me, is normal because I was born overweight, I grew up overweight, I am an adult now and I am still overweight,” said Gumede.

She admits that although this is the only life she knows, she has been exposed to her fair share of challenges.

“The biggest challenge that I’ve faced my whole life was not being confident. I only gained my confidence in high school because in primary school my peers were thin and I was always picked on. Being called fat was very hurtful to me as I was very sensitive. Another challenge that I face is finding the perfect fit for clothing when I go shopping. I also recently gained more weight and now my BP is constantly fluctuating abnormally,” she added.

For Gumede, the worst stereotypes to which she has been exposed include being called lazy being called overly emotional, and being called a giant.

She advised people to stop overeating, and to maintain a strict diet at all times because people that are overweight expose themselves to many illnesses such as heart diseases, high blood pressure, Diabetes.

Journalismiziko consulted with Ashleigh Caradas, a dietician, who shed some light on obesity.

“Obesity can be genetically linked and some people are predisposed to increased adiposity, which means they are simply born with more fat cells. Obesity, whether or not there is a genetic link, is lifestyle based. If you eat more calories than you can burn off, you will gain weight,” said Caradas.

Caradas highlighted some of the lifestyle factors involved in obesity as being high kilojoule intake, high fat intake, high carbohydrate intake, sedentary lifestyle, psychological factors such as low self-esteem and depression which are often compensated for by food and medical factors- obesity can also be a side effect of certain disorders and conditions.

The dietician believes that anyone has the potential to become obese.

“It can affect anyone really. I don’t believe that it is a gender or race issue at all, but rather what that specific gender or race does to cause the obesity. For example in South Africa, black woman tend to suffer more because they are more sedentary than say a male who does manual labour. The South African traditional diet tends to be high in carbohydrates, sugars and meat and low in good fats, lean proteins, fruit and vegetables but on the other hand the sedentary and convenience lifestyle of people in the more affluent corporate world also leads to obesity,” she said.

When asked about the most common effects of obesity and being underweight, she said that if obesity was purely an aesthetic issue, it would not exactly be considered a public health crisis; but it is, because it is about more than just appearances. Obesity puts people at risk of major diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, cancer, osteoarthritis, various skin disorders, hormonal disturbances and pregnancy complications. These can all be prevented simply by losing weight! Being underweight can cause issues related to bone loss and hormonal changes in woman, but unless underweight is severe it isn’t considered a major risk factor for disease.

For someone who is obese and wishes to lose weight but cannot afford to visit the gym, or cannot afford to follow a particular diet, Caradas advised them to exercise at home with simple routines or just by walking or jogging in your area. One need not be at a gym or use fancy equipment to get fit. For most part of a healthy diet does not have to be expensive.

She concluded by sharing much cheaper and healthier alternatives that people could follow if they wish to lose weight.

“Give up other expensive habits like unnecessary shopping, smoking, drinking, etc, and save money for food, grow your own vegetables at home if you have space. If you live in a community you can share the load (one person grows tomatoes for example and the other green beans and you share), cheaper wholesome foods include pilchards, sardines, lentils, kidney beans, white beans over red meat and white fish, reduce the amount if junk foods, cold drinks etc and rather save for olive oil, vegetables and fruits,” concluded Caradas.