Abstract:
Obesity, Diabetes and Hypertension are among the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) affecting the developed and the developing world. but evidence shows that 15 million of all deaths attributed to NCDs occur between the ages of 30 and 69 years. The predisposing factors include modifiable behavior risk factors such as unhealthy diet and physical activity of which alone is attributed to 1.6 million deaths annually.
In Sub Saharan Africa, NCDs are on rather an alarmingly increasing rate.WHO estimates that by the year 2025, about 1.56 billion people will have increased blood pressure. By 2030, low-income countries will have eight times more deaths attributed to NCDs than high-income countries. NCDs are now affecting more people who are in their prime economically productive years, and these deaths are frequently preceded by years of disability.
Audience take-away:
- Accordingly, obesty is the primary leading factor that course Non-Communicable Dieases such as cardiovascular disease, Type 2 Diabetes and some cancers. Un healthy dietes and lack of physical activity may lead to metabolic risk factors such as raising blood presure, increased blood glucose and Obesity.
- Non-Communicable Diseases are never given priarity by governing bodies in less developed countries, sighting inadqueate financial budgets for NCDs activities in addition to human resources, equipment and drags. This has created poor early health seeking behaviors which resuilts in poor treatment outcome.
- In some Sub-saharan countries, being obese and over weight is a symbol of good life, prestige and wealth. Some cultures have feverable views seeing it as a symbol of fertility and beauty. Their is need to create awereness in order to change people's mindset about such perception.
- In order to avoid the rise in obesity in future generation, governments and development pertners must adopt a comprehensive approach. Effective primary health care system will be crucial together with a strong focus on priventive measures such as mandating the labelling of processed foods, increasing consumer education, reducing salt and suger-sweetened beverages and investing in early childhood nutrition programs.
