Obesity in South Africa

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

South Africa, officially known as the Republic of South Africa, is a country located at the southernmost tip of the African continent. It is the 25th-largest country in the world by land area, and with close to 56 million people, is the world's 24th-most populous nation.

In 2016, South Africa had an adult obesity rate of 28.3%, ranking it 30th globally. Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have a negative effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems.

Healthcare in South Africa[edit | edit source]

Healthcare in South Africa is administrated by the Department of Health. The public healthcare system is structured to ensure that all citizens have access to healthcare, regardless of their socio-economic status. However, the country also has a large and rapidly growing private sector that caters to middle- and upper-income individuals.

Obesity in South Africa[edit | edit source]

The high obesity rate in South Africa is a major public health concern. The country has the highest overweight and obesity rate in sub-Saharan Africa, with up to 70% of women and a third of men being classified as overweight or obese. This has led to a surge in obesity-related diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart diseases.

Weight Loss Facilities[edit | edit source]

There are several well-known healthcare facilities in South Africa that offer weight loss programs. These include:

  • Life Healthcare: One of South Africa's largest private hospital groups, Life Healthcare offers a comprehensive weight loss program that includes dietary advice, exercise plans, and medical interventions if necessary.
  • Netcare: Netcare operates the largest private hospital network in South Africa. They offer a range of weight loss solutions, including bariatric surgery.
  • Mediclinic Southern Africa: Mediclinic offers a multidisciplinary weight loss program that includes the services of dietitians, biokineticists, and psychologists.

See Also[edit | edit source]

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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD