Botswana’s ability to deal with obesity low as cases increase

 

The World Obesity Atlas 2023 report published by the World Obesity Federation has shown that Botswana is least prepared to deal with the rising Non-Communicable Diseases and obesity globally. Obesity often results from taking in more calories than are burned by exercise and normal daily activities.

It occurs when a person's body mass index is 30 or greater. The main symptom is excessive body fat, which increases the risk of serious health problems and diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and certain types of cancers. Among children, being overweight is associated with a higher chance of obesity, premature death, and disability in adulthood.

According to the report, Botswana ranked poorly at 111 out of 183 countries on the NCDs-Obesity Preparedness Rankings with the country projected to reach 43 per cent obesity in the next 12 years. Botswana is also expected to attain an annual increase of 3.2 per cent in adult obesity and 7.7 per cent in childhood obesity by 2035, both of which are considered alarmingly high.

Women and girls are projected to bear the brunt of the increase in weight and obesity, reaching 51 per cent and 42 per cent respectively by 2035. The ranking system takes account of countries’ current health system responses to the NCDs and their commitment to the implementation of obesity prevention policies.

The report shows marked variations in preparedness across national income levels and geographical regions. For example, the average preparedness ranking for low-income countries is just 154/183 compared to 29/183 for high-income countries.

All 10 of the most prepared countries are in Europe, while eight of the 10 least prepared countries are in the African region. Other countries least prepared to deal with NCDs-obesity are Niger ranking 183, Papua New Guinea 182, Somalia 181, Central African Republic 179, Burkina Faso 178, Guinea Bissau 177, Burundi 176, Tokelau 175, and Gambia 174 amongst others. Meanwhile, Switzerland, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Sweden, France, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Ireland, and Belgium are listed to be most prepared to deal with obesity and NCDs.

This comes as the World Health Organisation(WHO) warns that the number of deaths attributable to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) will rise by 55 per cent by the end of the decade.A recent research has also shown that 46 percent of deaths in Botswana are due to NCDs with the most prevalent including hypertension, heart diseases, type-two diabetes, and several cancers. These diseases, as well as other NCDs, are mainly exacerbated by unhealthy diet and physical inactivity amongst others.