The effects of obesity on doctor-diagnosed chronic diseases in Africa: empirical results from Senegal and South Africa.
While inadequate food and communicable infectious diseases have been a concern of researchers and policy makers in Africa, little attention has been given to obesity and chronic, non-communicable diseases. Africa is not usually associated with obesity and chronic diseases. Yet there has been a sharp rise in the incidence of obesity and chronic diseases, a major public health problem in many countries. The paper examines the impact of obesity on the prevalence of four doctor-diagnosed chronic diseases in Senegal and South Africa. The results reveal that obese respondents were 4.7, 2.8, and 4.8% more likely to face the risks of arthritis, diabetes, and heart diseases in South Africa and 6.5 and 7.4% more likely to face the risks of heart disease and asthma in Senegal than their lean counterparts. Obesity imposes a real and substantial danger, affecting the prevalence of chronic diseases. Unchecked it can be a major public health problem, impose a serious challenge to the health sector, and can jeopardize future developments.
Asfaw
Abay
A
International Food Policy Research Institute, 20033 K Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006-1002, USA. A.Asfaw@cgiar.org
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D036262:Empirical Research; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012675:Senegal / Q000453:epidemiology; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology