MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

SA has highest overweight and obesity rate in sub-Saharan Africa

By

South Africa needs to radically improve its disease prevention efforts to avert a rapid escalation in ill health, says Dr Peter Bond, chief medical officer at Old Mutual.

He singles out obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) as areas of particular concern in South Africa.

South Africa has the highest overweight and obesity rate in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the Lancet 2014 medical journal, and that’s driving an upsurge in Type 2 diabetes, he says.

“Not a single country has managed to reduce its obesity rate in the past three decades, and obesity-driven diabetes across sub-Saharan Africa will double in 20 years, according to the World Health Organisation.”

He adds that this rising rate will also have massive implications for the cost of life cover.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) kills 200 people in this country each day: the equivalent of 13 minibus-taxi loads of people per day, while the rate of premature deaths from it is expected to increase by 40% by 2030. An average of 130 heart attacks and 240 strokes occur each day.

It is with these alarming statistics in mind that Old Mutual, a sponsor of the Future of Health Summit, is keen to raise awareness and stimulate debate around a healthy approach to living.

A range of experts on the topic of healthy living will gather inNelson Mandela Bay on 22 October to share their insights,  explore the latest thinking on managing health, and discuss the myths and facts about sugar, banting and low carb high fat diets.

The panellists include Prof Tim Noakes, Karen Thomson, Dr Eric Westman, Dr Philip Mills, Dr Margo de Kooker and Dr Peter Bond.

Tickets to the Future of Health Summit, Meet the Real Food Experts are R250 and available from Pro Natural Health Stores or email michelle.brown@axxess.co.za by 14 October 2015.

The following two tabs change content below.
My Twitter profileMy Facebook profileMy Google+ profileMy LinkedIn profileMy Flickr profileMy Pinterest profile

Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.