Plan to put warning labels on unhealthy foods to reduce obesity
THE Covid-19 pandemic has put obesity in the spotlight as overweight patients are prone to coronavirus complications.
“The National Institute For Communicable Diseases (NICD) Covid-19 weekly sentinel hospital surveillance reports attest to the fact that obesity is associated with the severity of Covid19 and severely obese persons are more likely to be admitted to acute and critical care than patients who are in a normal weight range,” the Department of Health said.
But even without coronavirus, those suffering from the complex disease involving an excessive amount of body fat, run the risk of suffering from other health complications, including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and certain cancers.
As the nation commemorated World Obesity Day last week, the Department of Health has a project in the pipeline which it hopes will aid in the fight against the condition.
“The department is planning on introducing warning labels on unhealthy foods to contribute towards promotion of healthy diets in South Africa,” Rebone Ntsie, the director of nutrition at the department. She said that a research study was commissioned to test the potential effectiveness of warning labels to be used on the packaging of food and drink and to determine the most effective warning label that would be easily understood by consumers. “The research is completed and the report will be shared with stakeholders in due course.”
While the country’s takeaway culture, a busy and stressful lifestyle and the high prices of healthy food have been blamed for the nation’s high obesity rate, there is also a belief that more education on the matter is desperately needed.
The department estimates 68% of women and 31% of men in SA are either overweight or obese.
“Obesity is highest among older women, but even 40% of young women aged 15-24 are overweight or obese,” said Ntsie.
In addition, 13% of adults worldwide are considered obese, with obesity being the cause of the premature death of 4.7 million people in 2017.
Global obesity rates have tripled since 1975. Ntsie said fast food franchises contributed to the nation’s obesity rate.
“Although there is no national study conducted to determine the impact that the abundance of local and international fast food franchises has had on obesity in South Africa, numerous studies have found that obesity is linked to the number of fast food outlets in a neighbourhood.”
The department said obesity rates had increased as a result of the notion that healthy food was more expensive.
“Generally, junk foods and takeaways seem to be cheaper than healthy foods, but junk foods and takeaways have high levels of added sugars, sodium, saturated fats and refined carbohydrates. Research has connected these nutrients of concern to increased obesity and non-communicable diseases such diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
“Therefore, if the medical costs incurred in treating diseases in the long run are considered, this narrative changes completely.”
She said the preparation of a well balanced home cooked meal could be more affordable and nutritious.
“The cost of buying takeaways for the family can be much higher than preparing home cooked meals and with careful planning and knowledge, it is possible to cook a healthy meal in very little time.”
The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA), a member of the World Obesity Federation is working together with the South African Non-Communicable Disease Alliance (SANCDA), the national Department of Health and other organisations around the world to raise awareness that obesity is not only a lifestyle condition but can be observed as a complex disease that increases the risks of other health problems and diseases.
Dr Vicki Pinkney-Atkinson, director for the SANCDA, said: “Obesity is a complex health condition and requires comprehensive solutions, treatment, and collective responsibility to treat and we need to understand that.”
Professor Pamela Naidoo, chief executive of HSFSA, said: “Understanding your environment and the causes of obesity can help us adapt and make behavioural changes despite the challenges that we face. We encourage people to seek out opportunities to increase activity levels and eat better. We will continue to work towards a healthier environment for all South Africans. Knowing that obesity is not entirely your fault can be empowering.”
The HSFSA said its endorsement programme, which included the Heart Mark and Diabetes South Africa programmes, was a tool that made it easier for members of the public to purchase or make healthier food choices when faced with a variety of options at the supermarket.
LONDON: Simon Cowell would rather have broken his back than caught coronavirus.
The music mogul is recovering after damaging his spine when he fell off an electric bike last summer, but despite coming close to paralysis, the 61-year-old star is thankful the results of his “terrible” accident had a clear path to recovery, whereas things surrounding the virus are so “unpredictable”.
Reflecting on a walk with his friend, Piers Morgan wrote in his Mail On Sunday Event magazine column: “We spoke about his accident. ‘I knew immediately I was in serious trouble,’ he said. ‘Never felt pain like it.’
“Doctors told him he was half an inch away from his spinal cord being fractured and leaving him paralysed. ‘It was terrible, but at least I quickly knew exactly what I was dealing with. I’d rather have gone through this than had Covid-19, which seems so unpredictable.
“I knew I wasn’t going to die, though I did worry I may never walk again.’”