With obesity rates soaring among kids as young as five, experts warn: the country’s future health hangs in the balance, one supersized meal at a time.
With obesity rates soaring among kids as young as five, experts warn: the country’s future health hangs in the balance, one supersized meal at a time. In the bustling corridors of Kenyan schools, a troubling trend is emerging. Children as young as five are grappling with a health issue once reserved for adults: obesity. This…
In the bustling corridors of Kenyan schools, a troubling trend is emerging. Children as young as five are grappling with a health issue once reserved for adults: obesity. This alarming development is part of a broader health crisis sweeping the nation, where non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are striking Kenyans in their prime, decades before retirement.
According to Dr. Catherine Karekezi, Executive Director of the Non-communicable Diseases Alliance Kenya, NCDs account for a staggering 41 percent of deaths and 50 percent of hospital admissions in the country. The age group affected is alarmingly young, with individuals between 30 and 50 years old now at risk of developing conditions like type 2 diabetes and certain cancers.
The Culprit: Unhealthy Diets
Nutritionist Betty Okere from Kilimani Diabetes and Endocrine Centre emphasizes the importance of mindful eating and moderation. “The key to staying healthy is eating in moderation,” she asserts. “One can even eat ice cream but in moderation.”
However, Okere warns that the infiltration of Western fast food, high in sugar and fats, is contributing significantly to childhood obesity. “Children are becoming obese at a young age—as early as five,” she notes. “This is partly because of the infiltration of western food that is high in sugar and fats.”
The Consequences of Childhood Obesity
Dr. Joyce Mbogo, a Pediatric Endocrinologist, underscores the alarming rise in childhood obesity in Kenya. She emphasizes the role of unhealthy food choices and sedentary lifestyles in this trend. “Childhood obesity is on the rise in Kenya,” she warns. “This is because of unhealthy food choices and sedentary lifestyles.”
Mbogo calls on parents to take responsibility for their children’s health. “What is in your child’s snack box?” she asks. “School snacks can be an orange and not a bag of crisps.”
A Multi-Pronged Approach
Tackling childhood obesity requires a multifaceted approach. Parents, schools, and the government must play pivotal roles. Parents need to educate themselves about healthy eating and nutrition, and schools can promote healthy habits through initiatives like school gardens and educational programs.
“We need to take parents back to class for them to understand what healthy eating is. Many parents, who are often busy should transfer the knowledge to caregivers of their children. Parents need to be taught basic things like; ‘what is a healthy weight for your child?”” says Dr Mbogo.
As Dr. Karekezi aptly puts it, “We need to ensure the food we eat as a country is of good nutritional value.”
The government can also contribute by implementing regulations such as visible food labeling and restricting the advertising of high-calorie foods. “How many calories does a mandazi have? It’s important to control the advertisement of high-calorie foods just like we do with alcohol and cigarettes. We should ask ourselves, should we have a fast-food eatery next to a school?” querries Dr Mbogo.
Time for action- call to all
To address Kenya’s growing health challenges, a National Media Dialogue was convened at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) on September 11, 2024. The event, organized by the Non-communicable Diseases Alliance Kenya in partnership with KELIN and JKUAT, brought together health experts, nutrition and food technology students and media representatives to tackle a pressing issue: the need for food policies that regulate nutrients of concern in relation to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
The dialogue focused on the critical role of sodium, sugar, and fats in the development of NCDs, which have become a major health concern in Kenya. The event highlighted the urgency of taking action to improve the nation’s dietary landscape and, consequently, the overall health of its citizens.
