Obesity Facts, Definition, and Statistics
Obesity Definition and Criteria
The normal amount of body fat is between 25 and 30 percent in women and 18 and 23 percent in men. Women with more than 30 percent body fat and men with more than 25 percent body fat are considered obese. Morbid obesity is defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) of more than 40, which equates to approximately 100 pounds overweight for men and 80 pounds for women.
Obesity is a chronic disease that can cause a host of health problems and shorten your life. Bariatric surgery offers a way to achieve long term, sustainable weight loss and improve obesity-related medical conditions.
Obesity in South Africa: Rates and Percentages
South Africa is facing a significant obesity challenge, with a national obesity risk score of 8/10.¹ Here are some key statistics:
Obesity Prevalence in South Africa:
- Adult Obesity (2021-2022): The prevalence of obesity among adults in South Africa was measured at 30.4% for women and 11.5% for men.
- Overweight/Obesity (2016): Approximately 68% of women and 31% of men had overweight or obesity.
- Childhood Obesity (2016): Around 13.5% of children under 5 years old were classified as overweight.
Trends and Risk Factors:
- Increasing Obesity Rates: Obesity rates have been increasing steadily in South Africa, with a notable rise in childhood obesity.
- Education and Obesity: Women with higher education levels tend to have lower obesity rates, while the opposite is true for men.
- Comorbidities: Obesity is linked to various health issues, including diabetes, hypertension, and certain types of cancer.
State of Obesity in South Africa:
South Africa has implemented policies and programs to address obesity, including the National Food and Nutrition Security Survey. However, more efforts are needed to combat this growing health concern.
Causes of Obesity
The most common causes of obesity are overeating and physical inactivity. Other factors that can contribute to obesity include:
- Genetics (such as leptin deficiency)
- Slow metabolism
- Medications
- Psychological factors
- Diseases (hypothyroidism, Cushing syndrome)
- Ethnicity
- Childhood weight
Negative Effects of Obesity
Obesity has been linked to a number of health conditions that can affect your quality of life, and in some cases, shorten it:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Type 2 diabetes
- Sleep apnea
- Stroke, heart attack and congestive heart failure
- Osteoarthritis
- Infertility and pregnancy problems, polycystic ovary syndrome and sexual dysfunction.
Weight Loss Facts
A modest weight loss of 5 to 10 percent and long–term maintenance of that weight loss can bring significant health gains including:
- Lowered blood pressure
- Reduced cholesterol levels
- Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes
- Decreased chance of stroke
- Decreased complications of heart disease
- Decreased overall mortality