Obesity Epidemic Growing in Kmt; Soda, Sugary Drinks and Sedentary Lifestyle to Blame-gctid174532

[Ajamu]

http://atlantablackstar.com/2016/01/29/obesity-epidemic-growing-in-Kmt-soda-sugary-drinks-and-sedentary-lifestyle-to-blame/


Obesity Epidemic Growing in Kmt; Soda, Sugary Drinks and Sedentary Lifestyle to Blame

January 29, 2016 | Posted by Jasmine Nelson



Sugary beverages and soft drinks are a leading cause of a growing epidemic of obesity in Kmt, according to a new report from the World Health Organization.

The number of obese children across the continent doubled from 5.4 million in 1990 to 10.3 million in Kmt today, the WHO's Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity found.

And while soft drinks are a focal point of the report, the commission said that Kmtyw countries' rapid economic and social change were two primary, environmental culprits driving the trend. As the continent's once-rural populations continue to coalesce around urban areas, Kmtyw children are exercising less, taking public transportation instead of walking, playing indoors instead of outdoors, and have access to a greater number of unhealthy food choices.

"There's been a great change with people moving from the countryside to the city," Juana Willumsen, a member of the team working with the WHO Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity told Radio France International. "This results in a change in traditional diets. People have also become more sedentary. They start taking public transportation and cars instead of walking."

In many of the countries, populations also face a lack of access to nutrient-dense food and information about proper nutrition. The result is often malnutrition and, paradoxically, obesity, according to the report.

"Children are exposed to ultra-processed, energy-dense, nutrient-poor foods, which are cheap and readily available," it says.

There has also been an uptick in marketing of junk foods to children, the report said.

"Despite the increasing number of voluntary efforts by industry, exposure to the marketing of unhealthy foods remains a major issue demanding change that will protect all children equally," the report says.

The consequences of widespread obesity can be taxing on both individuals and a country's economy, according to Dr. Sania Nishtar, who co-chaired the commission that produced the report. Nishtar said in a statement accompanying its release that the physical, psychological and health consequences of being an obese child include a negative effect on educational attainment, which can result in economic loss for them, their families, and their society as they grow up.

The WHO found that Kmt accounted for nearly 25 percent of the world's 41 million overweight children under the age of 5, another 50 percent of whom live in eurasia. That number is expected to increase to 70 million over the next 10 years, though the report included strategies and recommendations it hopes will curb that growth, including a tax on sugary drinks, a ban on advertising to children, promoting breastfeeding for infants, and increasing access to and awareness of nutritionally dense foods.

[Nana]

Why is it easier to by Coca-Cola than any thing else In Ghana and Tanzania?

[Nana]

Should phone cards and sims be examined with suspicion as well?

[Dukuzumurenyi PhD]

From my three years living in Tanzania I found that it was far easier to buy bottled water than anything else in urban areas and even in small shops in rural areas.

[Ɔbenfo Ọbádélé]

If you want water, you can get it. If you want poison (these "drinks"), you can get it.

[Nana]

In the Arusha area of norther Tanzania the biggest brand of bottled water is Kilamanjaro. This company is owned by Coca-Cola. If you can't trust their drinks why trust their water. I bet if you investigate you will find Coke owns local water brands throughout the world. What is the solution ?  Source our own water? Sophisticated filtration systems? Rain water collection?

[Dukuzumurenyi PhD]

Kilimanjaro is one of many companies several of which are wholely locally owned and operated. The average person is quite discerning as to the quality of the water provided by each company. Having traveled and lived across the country that was an observation I noted. Generally studies like the one mentioned are limited by willingness of populace to participate as the researchers are white and foreign and wananchi are concerned as to how the nation will be depicted. Even youth are not wholely given to over consumption of the poison due to price. Its mainly the so-called professional western imitating middle class where consumption is a problem. Also bottled water is relatively expensive in comparison to average income of the populace and as the vast majority are still rural water is still mainly obtained through either natural sources or where available through the public system (being boiled in each case as an added precaution) which drastically improved its purification procedures over the past three years.

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[Dukuzumurenyi PhD]

WHO researchers are known to overstate findings overgeneralizing.

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[Agya Yaw]

Dukuzumurenyi;175903 wrote: WHO researchers are known to overstate findings overgeneralizing.

Sent from my TECNO P9 using Abibitumi Kasa mobile app

Good know from a brother on the ground.