Whole foods key to health

DESPITE what South Africans know about the impact of food choices on their health, overweight and obesity are still on the rise, alongside a host of preventable diseases that can be attributed to unhealthy lifestyles.

This is according to Nutrition Society of SA dietitian Carol Browne, who highlighted the risks of unhealthy diets and lifestyles for National Nutrition Week, on until October 15 under the theme “Making eating whole foods a way of life”.

According to Statistics SA, 62.2% of women and 25.1% of men in the Western Cape are overweight or obese. Stats SA also found that 11.9% of children in the Western Cape are underweight due to poor nutrition.

“Approximately 13.3% of South African children under 5 years are overweight or obese, and according to the 2012 SA Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 14.2% of children aged 6 to 14 are overweight or obese,” Browne said.

“The situation among adults is even worse, with the 2016 SA Demographic and Health Survey finding that 68% of women and 31% of men are overweight or obese.

“Severe obesity, which is lifethreatening, affects around 20% of women and 3% of men.

‘‘Unhealthy diets and a lack of physical activity are contributing to a considerable burden of disease in our country,” Browne said.

Heart and Stroke Foundation SA chief executive Professor Pamela Naidoo said: “South Africa has one of the highest rates of overweight and obesity in the world – a major contributor to diabetes, which in turn is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

‘‘We have to understand the link between making poor food choices on a daily basis, being at an unhealthy weight, and the risks of disease and early death”.

Naidoo advised the public to choose whole grain food, fresh vegetables, fruits, legumes and nuts.

“Whole foods offer a wide range of choices and enable a family lifestyle centred on healthy eating choices, that for children can help cement these healthy lifestyle habits for years to come,” she said.

For more information on how to make eating whole foods a way of life, including tips and recipes, visit: www. nutritionweek.co.za.