Latest news with #WorldObesityAtlas
Indian Express
18-07-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Beetroot cutlets replace burger buns: How students at this school are checking sugar boards, cutting down junk and eating healthy at the canteen
Written by Tabshir Shams It's 11 am, time for a mid-morning break at Delhi Public School, Gautam Buddh Nagar in Uttar Pradesh. Students are milling around the canteen for the best-selling beetroot cutlets. But they have sold out already. Class V student Anushka is relishing a whole wheat paneer roll instead. 'Our teacher says eating healthy will get us good grades,' she says. 'I didn't know that my favourite cupcake has five teaspoons of sugar, so much more than I put in my morning glass of milk. Mango juice has six teaspoons of sugar. Maybe I will have the jaljeera instead,' says her friend, keeping her eyes peeled on the board that displays all the sugar information of the fast foods and colas they are used to. The school has not only revamped its menu to include healthier options but has also displayed a graphic board indicating the sugar component in widely-consumed food products, recommended daily sugar intake and healthier alternatives. Two months ago, on May 14, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) had suggested setting up informative sugar boards in schools to monitor and reduce sugar intake among children and prevent childhood obesity, a precursor to diabetes in adulthood. The communique was aimed at educating students, helping them make informed food choices at an early age and gear up for long-term health. The idea was to weave nutrition awareness into curricula in the hope that school regimentation would take care of the foundational health of students. The initiative has already begun showing some results. Like Anushka, who says she still likes junk food but has reduced the number of times she has it. Shashwat, another class V student, says, 'My parents were really happy seeing all the health foods being served here. They are now cooking the same for me at home too.' WHY TACKLING CHILDHOOD OBESITY IS PRIORITY Active public health interventions are necessary as next generation Indians are perched on the upper end of the obesity curve. According to UNICEF's World Obesity Atlas for 2022, India is predicted to have more than 27 million obese children, representing one in 10 children globally. The economic impact of obesity — measured in terms of increased healthcare spending and reduced workforce productivity — is expected to rise from $23 billion in 2009 to a whopping $ 479 billion by 2060. Principal Supriti Chauhan has decided to focus on ways to tackle childhood obesity and has been consulting diet counsellors for cleaning up the school meal. 'Our developmental years decide how we eat for the rest of our lives. That's why we conduct regular counselling sessions with students about healthy eating. We have been conducting awareness activities around junk food for our primary students much before the circular was issued,' she says. Tracing the childhood obesity curve, Dr Rajesh Khadgawat, endocrinologist at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, says, 'Obesity has been progressively rising in school-going children. Almost 20 per cent students in this age group are living with the condition, most being private school-going children,' he says. While government school children may not have access to pricey fast foods, the low prices of mini snack and cookie pouches means they are getting addicted to high salt and sugar foods too. WHAT ARE TRIGGERS OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY? The obesity spiral is because of the imbalance of the calories we consume and their expenditure, according to Dr Khadgawat. 'Children consume a lot of HFSS (high in fat, sugar and salt) foods and are physically active for a lesser number of hours needed to burn them. That's why the excess calories we consume are stored in the form of fat. Not all schools can afford large playgrounds where children can take to aerobic sports. School playgrounds are shrinking due to commercial encroachment of open spaces and community parks are unsafe for children. Up to 98 per cent cases of childhood obesity are because of calorie overload and lack of exercise,' he says. Obesity is not restricted to being a family or school-centric problem but has become a societal and national issue. 'Children who are obese right now and continue to be so into adulthood will have a higher risk of diabetes, hypertension and even cancer,' warns Dr Khadgawat. WHY THIS SCHOOL'S MODEL WORKS DPS, Gautam Buddh Nagar, has 10 sugar boards positioned across the campus. Most of them have been made by the students themselves, helping them internalise the messaging. Says Shikha Rathi, coordinator for the primary wing, 'Earlier, we would sell high calorie foods like samosas, chips, patties and sugary cold drinks. Now we have replaced them with whole wheat rolls, beetroot cutlets, baked kulcha, jal jeera and strawberry and banana shakes without added sugar. The menu is balanced in such a manner that the children can maintain steady energy levels. We also present healthy food in a manner that appeals to their taste buds.' Teachers have smartly made the children a part of the health awareness campaign. Pointing to a display board outside a classroom, social science teacher Sayeeda Kirmani says how students gave a few suggestions on what they would like to replace the branded sugary drinks with. The biggest sugar board is placed next to the canteen's main counter. 'We have put the biggest board here because we want our students to pause, read and make a conscious food choice before buying,' says Kirmani. Rathi says the school has also roped in parents to correct dietary habits among students. 'There has to be a synergy between eating healthy at school and eating healthy at home as well. Any indulgence would cancel out the benefits,' she adds. The school has built a lot of physical activity into the routine to break sedentary behaviour. Apart from football, badminton, basketball, lawn tennis and swimming, there are regular physical training sessions across age groups,' says Rathi. A WORD OF CAUTION Dr Khadgawat warns that schools should be vigilant about the food preparation method in their kitchens. 'Healthy foods prepared through unhealthy methods, like deep frying or adding excessive amounts of sugar or salt, can negate their positive effects. Watch out for trans fats,' he says. Dr Khagawat says there is no fixed caloric intake for a child between five and 17 years. It depends on their physical activity and BMI (body mass index). 'The best intervention to control the obesity epidemic is to educate our children. An experiment in Brazil found a positive correlation between health education and reduction in obesity of children. The study indicated how an awareness drive reduced childhood obesity by 20 per cent.' While sugar boards have stirred conversations around mindful eating, it's equally important that schools go beyond just visual reminders. The New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasises integrating lessons on nutrition and healthy lifestyles within the school curriculum, not just serving meals but teaching children why eating right matters. As Chauhan puts it, 'It's time for a very simple but goal-oriented slogan — 'Healthy food ensures a healthy body, a healthy body ensures a healthy mind, and a healthy mind ensures good academic performance.'
Sinar Daily
01-07-2025
- Health
- Sinar Daily
Taxing fruits while fighting obesity feels like a bitter pill to swallow
AS Malaysia rolls out its revised Sales and Service Tax (SST) on imported fruits starting today, the irony is hard to miss. While the nation battles rising obesity rates and a diabetes crisis, the price of one of the easiest and healthiest solutions just went up. You really have to pause and wonder: what exactly are we doing? The Malaysian government officially implemented the revised five per cent SST on imported goods and yes, that includes imported fruits. However, apples and oranges were eventually excluded after public response, despite initially being on the list. They were described as 'the people's fruit,' which led the government to reconsider and grant an exemption. Meanwhile, local fruits like bananas, pineapples, rambutans, longan and jackfruit are exempted, a move that supposedly encourages people to support local agriculture and raise national revenue. As Malaysia enforces its revised SST on imported fruits today, the irony is clear—fruit prices are rising just as the nation faces growing obesity and diabetes crises. Photo: Edited via Canva Fair enough, on the surface. But dig a little deeper and it is hard not to be sceptical. Because the more urgent crisis Malaysia is facing is not a lack of love for local pineapples, it is obesity. A growing one. According to the World Obesity Atlas, nearly 20 per cent of Malaysians were already obese and projections show that number ballooning to 41 per cent by 2035. The Health Ministry has also highlighted that Malaysia has one of the highest diabetes rates in the world, with 3.6 million people diagnosed as of 2019, a number expected to double by this year. Alarmingly, many are walking around without even realising they have the disease: 40 per cent of adults and 84 per cent of young adults aged 18–29 do not even know they are diabetic. Data from the CIA World Factbook shows Malaysia ranks second in Southeast Asia for obesity, with 19.7 per cent of the population affected. Photo: Screenshot via Sea Asia Stats Instagram account When you factor in the infamous "Three Highs" - high blood sugar, high blood pressure and high cholesterol - the situation only grows bleeker. Over 500,000 Malaysians are now living with all four conditions. So why, of all things, are we making fruits more expensive? Fruits, after all, are the simplest, most accessible health solutions out there. Unlike fitness programmes, gym memberships or fancy diets, fruits are straightforward. You eat them, they are nutritious and they help. You do not need an app to track them or a trainer to tell you how to bite into a cherry. And I do not know anyone - really, anyone - who does not eat at least one fruit. Sure, some people are not into vegetables, but fruits? Everyone has a favourite. Now, we are making it less attractive to choose them, just as we are trying to convince people to take better care of their health. That is the contradiction that makes this new SST expansion so frustrating. It is like raising the price of bottled water during a heatwave and calling it a strategy to encourage people to use public fountains. Will this tax stop people from buying imported fruits? Probably not. Will people even realise what has been taxed and what has not? Doubtful. Malaysians are already overwhelmed with economic concerns. And let us be real, no one is memorising the government's updated tax catalogue before heading to the supermarket. If the goal was to redirect people toward local produce, there are better ways to do it. One could subsidise local fruits or launch awareness campaigns, alternatives that are more encouraging. Instead, we have just made a basic health necessity more expensive, hoping people will 'get the message'. As Malaysia enforces its revised SST on imported fruits today, the irony is clear—fruit prices are rising just as the nation faces growing obesity and diabetes crises. Photo: Edited via Canva But it is not just about pricing. Malaysia's battle with obesity goes deeper - into infrastructure, culture and lifestyle. This is a country where walking is not easy. It is hot, humid and not exactly pedestrian-friendly. Public transportation is not the most dependable and when people are tired, busy and stressed, grabbing a quick meal at the nearest 'mamak' becomes the default choice. 'Lepak' culture is a big part of who we are, but let us be honest, Roti Canai at 11pm while watching football is not exactly a nutritionist's dream. We are proud of our food heritage and rightfully so. But that pride should also come with some responsibility. If we want Malaysians to be healthier, we have to make healthy options easier and more appealing; not pricier. Fruits and vegetables should be the last things we make harder to access. They are neutral, universal and do not come with the socioeconomic stigma of gym memberships. They are just food, good food. So while we are all trying to eat better, live longer and manage this nationwide health concern, let us hope future policy decisions reflect a bit more thought on the actual barriers people face. Because this five per cent tax may seem small on paper, but in the broader fight against obesity, it is sending the wrong message entirely.
San Francisco Chronicle
29-05-2025
- Health
- San Francisco Chronicle
Some Africans have long seen a big belly as a sign of wealth. It's killing them
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — In many African cultures, a big belly has long been seen as a sign of wealth. But this perception is proving deadly as deaths due to obesity -related illnesses rise. In Kenya, overweight politicians are often called Boss or Mkubwa — Swahili for 'big man' — by constituents, with their girth symbolizing prosperity. Younger politicians, including the governors of Nairobi and Mombasa, have begun speaking publicly about weight loss. Obesity contributes to non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, which have become Kenya's leading cause of death. The health ministry says they are responsible for 39% of fatalities annually. In a country where the government has said almost a third of the population is still unable to fulfill food needs, 13% adults are obese, according to the 2025 World Obesity Atlas. The contrast highlights the country's growing inequality and the popularity of fast and processed foods by those with rising incomes. Perceptions about obesity can affect financial and other decisions. In neighboring Uganda, microfinance institutions vetted loan applicants based on their weight, and those overweight were considered more able to repay loans, according to a study published by the American Economic Review in 2023. 'Most people feel like when I start making money, I have to look like the money itself by being fat or obese,' said Kenyan nutritionist Felix Okoth. 'They however don't realize that they are predisposing themselves to these lifestyle conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.' The World Health Organization's Africa director has called the rising trend a 'ticking time bomb" for the continent with the world's youngest and fastest growing population. Some are trying to change the conversation around weight. A former senator in Kenya, Cleophas Malala, has described how a 15-hour flight to the U.S. left him in pain and how doctors advised him to reduce. From a starting weight of 138 kilograms (304 pounds), he embarked on a non-solid diet for 90 days. Though he didn't disclose his current weight, before-and-after photos show him noticeably slimmer. 'My colleagues in parliament were mad that I left the 'club' after I lost weight,' the 39-year-old has said. Stephen Ogweno, who had childhood obesity and later became a public health advocate, said most Kenyan legislators don't see the issue as a problem. 'These discussions are held in parliament where most MPs have big bellies, and so admitting that it concerns them, too, would be a good place to start,' he said, Kenyan President William Ruto has spoken publicly about the need to be fit for work. He had to reassure Kenyans in 2023 that he was okay after online speculation about his health following weight loss. 'I decided to cut it down because the task ahead was not easy,' he told journalists. Increasing incomes, proliferation of fast-food outlets in urban areas, sedentary lifestyles and lack of infrastructure that promotes physical activity have been named as probable causes of rising obesity in developing countries. 'We need to make sure that when we move away from lack of food, we are not going to the wrong food groups,' said a Kampala-based doctor, Miriam Laker Oketta. Public health campaigns will help demystify the perception that weight is an indication of wealth, said Caroline Kisia, the Africa director for Project ECHO, an information-sharing platform for healthcare workers. Gyms, weight loss drugs and surgeries are being increasingly advertised in Kenya. But approaches such as the Ozempic weight-loss drug have left some users like Caroline Havi dissatisfied. She said she turned to a one-meal-a-day diet instead and hopes to eventually reduce her weight from 105 kilograms to 70 'without spending so much." In South Africa, obesity-related deaths due to non-communicable diseases have surpassed HIV-related deaths, according to the WHO. The 2025 World Obesity Atlas said 32% of South Africa's adults are obese. The perception that weight is a symbol of wealth is slowly changing, said Rebone Ntsie, nutrition director at the National Department of Health. 'There are those who still see it like that, but people are also seeing the dangers and its no longer celebrated as a sign of dignity, beauty, respect, social status," she said. ___ Associated Press journalist Michelle Gumede contributed from Johannesburg, South Africa. —— This story has been corrected to fix the name of the Africa director for Project ECHO to Caroline Kisia. ___
24-05-2025
- Health
Some Africans have long seen a big belly as a sign of wealth. It's killing them
NAIROBI, Kenya -- In many African cultures, a big belly has long been seen as a sign of wealth. But this perception is proving deadly as deaths due to obesity -related illnesses rise. In Kenya, overweight politicians are often called Boss or Mkubwa — Swahili for 'big man' — by constituents, with their girth symbolizing prosperity. Younger politicians, including the governors of Nairobi and Mombasa, have begun speaking publicly about weight loss. Obesity contributes to non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, which have become Kenya's leading cause of death. The health ministry says they are responsible for 39% of fatalities annually. In a country where the government has said almost a third of the population is still unable to fulfill food needs, 13% adults are obese, according to the 2025 World Obesity Atlas. The contrast highlights the country's growing inequality and the popularity of fast and processed foods by those with rising incomes. Perceptions about obesity can affect financial and other decisions. In neighboring Uganda, microfinance institutions vetted loan applicants based on their weight, and those overweight were considered more able to repay loans, according to a study published by the American Economic Review in 2023. 'Most people feel like when I start making money, I have to look like the money itself by being fat or obese,' said Kenyan nutritionist Felix Okoth. 'They however don't realize that they are predisposing themselves to these lifestyle conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.' The World Health Organization's Africa director has called the rising trend a 'ticking time bomb" for the continent with the world's youngest and fastest growing population. Some are trying to change the conversation around weight. A former senator in Kenya, Cleophas Malala, has described how a 15-hour flight to the U.S. left him in pain and how doctors advised him to reduce. From a starting weight of 138 kilograms (304 pounds), he embarked on a non-solid diet for 90 days. Though he didn't disclose his current weight, before-and-after photos show him noticeably slimmer. 'My colleagues in parliament were mad that I left the 'club' after I lost weight,' the 39-year-old has said. Stephen Ogweno, who had childhood obesity and later became a public health advocate, said most Kenyan legislators don't see the issue as a problem. 'These discussions are held in parliament where most MPs have big bellies, and so admitting that it concerns them, too, would be a good place to start,' he said, Kenyan President William Ruto has spoken publicly about the need to be fit for work. He had to reassure Kenyans in 2023 that he was okay after online speculation about his health following weight loss. 'I decided to cut it down because the task ahead was not easy,' he told journalists. Increasing incomes, proliferation of fast-food outlets in urban areas, sedentary lifestyles and lack of infrastructure that promotes physical activity have been named as probable causes of rising obesity in developing countries. 'We need to make sure that when we move away from lack of food, we are not going to the wrong food groups,' said a Kampala-based doctor, Miriam Laker Oketta. Public health campaigns will help demystify the perception that weight is an indication of wealth, said Caroline Kirui, the Africa director for Project ECHO, an information-sharing platform for healthcare workers. Gyms, weight loss drugs and surgeries are being increasingly advertised in Kenya. But approaches such as the Ozempic weight-loss drug have left some users like Caroline Havi dissatisfied. She said she turned to a one-meal-a-day diet instead and hopes to eventually reduce her weight from 105 kilograms to 70 'without spending so much." In South Africa, obesity-related deaths due to non-communicable diseases have surpassed HIV-related deaths, according to the WHO. The 2025 World Obesity Atlas said 32% of South Africa's adults are obese. The perception that weight is a symbol of wealth is slowly changing, said Rebone Ntsie, nutrition director at the National Department of Health. 'There are those who still see it like that, but people are also seeing the dangers and its no longer celebrated as a sign of dignity, beauty, respect, social status," she said.
Hamilton Spectator
24-05-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Some Africans have long seen a big belly as a sign of wealth. It's killing them
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — In many African cultures, a big belly has long been seen as a sign of wealth. But this perception is proving deadly as deaths due to obesity -related illnesses rise. In Kenya , overweight politicians are often called Boss or Mkubwa — Swahili for 'big man' — by constituents, with their girth symbolizing prosperity. Younger politicians, including the governors of Nairobi and Mombasa, have begun speaking publicly about weight loss. Obesity contributes to non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, which have become Kenya's leading cause of death. The health ministry says they are responsible for 39% of fatalities annually. In a country where the government has said almost a third of the population is still unable to fulfill food needs, 13% adults are obese, according to the 2025 World Obesity Atlas. The contrast highlights the country's growing inequality and the popularity of fast and processed foods by those with rising incomes. Perceptions about obesity can affect financial and other decisions. In neighboring Uganda, microfinance institutions vetted loan applicants based on their weight, and those overweight were considered more able to repay loans, according to a study published by the American Economic Review in 2023. 'Most people feel like when I start making money, I have to look like the money itself by being fat or obese,' said Kenyan nutritionist Felix Okoth. 'They however don't realize that they are predisposing themselves to these lifestyle conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.' The World Health Organization's Africa director has called the rising trend a 'ticking time bomb' for the continent with the world's youngest and fastest growing population. Some are trying to change the conversation around weight. A former senator in Kenya, Cleophas Malala, has described how a 15-hour flight to the U.S. left him in pain and how doctors advised him to reduce. From a starting weight of 138 kilograms (304 pounds), he embarked on a non-solid diet for 90 days. Though he didn't disclose his current weight, before-and-after photos show him noticeably slimmer. 'My colleagues in parliament were mad that I left the 'club' after I lost weight,' the 39-year-old has said. Stephen Ogweno, who had childhood obesity and later became a public health advocate, said most Kenyan legislators don't see the issue as a problem. 'These discussions are held in parliament where most MPs have big bellies, and so admitting that it concerns them, too, would be a good place to start,' he said, Kenyan President William Ruto has spoken publicly about the need to be fit for work. He had to reassure Kenyans in 2023 that he was okay after online speculation about his health following weight loss. 'I decided to cut it down because the task ahead was not easy,' he told journalists. Increasing incomes, proliferation of fast-food outlets in urban areas, sedentary lifestyles and lack of infrastructure that promotes physical activity have been named as probable causes of rising obesity in developing countries. 'We need to make sure that when we move away from lack of food, we are not going to the wrong food groups,' said a Kampala-based doctor, Miriam Laker Oketta. Public health campaigns will help demystify the perception that weight is an indication of wealth, said Caroline Kirui, the Africa director for Project ECHO, an information-sharing platform for healthcare workers. Gyms, weight loss drugs and surgeries are being increasingly advertised in Kenya. But approaches such as the Ozempic weight-loss drug have left some users like Caroline Havi dissatisfied. She said she turned to a one-meal-a-day diet instead and hopes to eventually reduce her weight from 105 kilograms to 70 'without spending so much.' In South Africa, obesity-related deaths due to non-communicable diseases have surpassed HIV-related deaths, according to the WHO. The 2025 World Obesity Atlas said 32% of South Africa's adults are obese. The perception that weight is a symbol of wealth is slowly changing, said Rebone Ntsie, nutrition director at the National Department of Health. 'There are those who still see it like that, but people are also seeing the dangers and its no longer celebrated as a sign of dignity, beauty, respect, social status,' she said. ___ Associated Press journalist Michelle Gumede contributed from Johannesburg, South Africa. ___ For more on Africa and development: The Associated Press receives financial support for global health and development coverage in Africa from the Gates Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP's standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at .
