A recent study by the World Obesity Federation highlights a stark increase in obesity in Africa, particularly among women, with projections that nearly half will be obese or overweight by the decade's end. This rise mirrors the HIV epidemic in terms of stigma and treatment access. While obesity-related health issues abound, effective treatments like weight loss medications remain largely unavailable in sub-Saharan Africa. Urbanization and lifestyle changes further complicate matters, as women face unique barriers to physical activity. Experts stress the urgency of addressing this intertwined health crisis that disproportionately affects women.
Obesity feels like HIV but more compressed... We’ve got a disease we don’t quite understand, it’s there, we’re not doing much about it. The drugs are kind of there, but not available.
While 45% of women in Africa will be overweight or obese by 2030, for men the figure is 26%, according to the World Obesity Atlas.
Urbanisation and lifestyle shifts play a major role many African cities lack safe spaces for physical activity, and long working hours, caregiving responsibilities, and safety concerns make movement harder for women.
Stigma is also an issue; women are more affected by obesity compared to men, bearing the brunt of related health challenges.
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