just In: Addressing Obesity: A Growing Health Concern Among Nigerian Youths....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Nigerian youths are confronting a multitude of challenges, encompassing social, political, cultural, and health-related issues, which can significantly impact their productivity. Among these issues, health challenges must be a priority to prevent adverse outcomes such as nervous breakdowns and even death.

One pressing health concern that warrants serious attention in Nigeria is obesity. Obesity poses a substantial risk factor for various chronic diseases, notably cardiovascular conditions like heart disease, coronary artery disease, and stroke.

Cardiovascular disease is currently the leading cause of preventable death in both Nigeria and worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity is defined as the abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat that poses health risks. It is a chronic condition associated with an elevated risk of health problems, including diabetes, blindness, limb amputations, and the need for dialysis. A Body Mass Index (BMI) over 25 is considered overweight, while a BMI exceeding 30 is classified as obese. A BMI of 40 or higher is considered severe obesity, and childhood obesity is assessed using growth charts.

Apart from BMI, assessing obesity involves measuring waist circumference. Individuals with excess body fat around their waist are statistically at greater risk of obesity-related diseases. This risk becomes significant when waist size exceeds 35 inches for individuals assigned female at birth or 40 inches for those assigned male at birth.

The issue of obesity has reached epidemic proportions, with more than 4 million people worldwide dying due to excess weight or obesity in 2017, according to the global burden of disease. Rates of overweight and obesity are steadily increasing among adults and children.

Excessive body fat can strain the respiratory system and place stress on the musculoskeletal system, leading to conditions such as osteoarthritis. Obesity is also linked to several cancers, including endometrial, breast, ovarian, prostate, liver, gallbladder, kidney, and colon cancers. The risk of these noncommunicable diseases increases even when an individual is only slightly overweight, escalating as the BMI rises.

Childhood obesity is associated with a wide range of serious health complications and an elevated risk of early-onset related illnesses. Without intervention, obese children and adolescents are likely to remain obese into adulthood.

WHO highlights that more people are obese than underweight in nearly every region, except sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. Overweight and obesity are no longer exclusive to high-income countries, as low- and middle-income countries, particularly in urban areas, are experiencing a significant rise in obesity rates. The vast majority of overweight or obese children reside in developing nations, where the rate of increase is over 30% higher than in developed countries.

In an exclusive interview, a health coach at mDoc Healthcare Limited, Titilayo Akinlade, stressed that many causes of overweight and obesity are preventable and reversible. She pointed out that the primary cause of obesity in adults is an imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended, although other factors contribute to the condition.

Akinlade also emphasized the use of BMI to assess childhood obesity, taking into account the child’s age and assigned gender. A child older than two years may be diagnosed with obesity if their BMI exceeds that of 95% of their peers in the same category.

To lower the risk of obesity, Akinlade called on Nigerians to reduce calorie intake from fats and sugars, increase consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and nuts, and engage in regular physical activity. She underscored the significance of dietary changes and increased physical activity in tackling the rising trend of obesity.

She further explained, “As global diets have evolved in recent years, there has been a surge in the consumption of energy-dense foods high in fat and free sugars. Concurrently, physical activity has declined due to changes in work nature, increased access to transportation, and growing urbanization. Reducing the risk of overweight and obesity involves decreasing calorie consumption from fats and sugars, increasing the proportion of daily intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and nuts, and engaging in regular physical activity (60 minutes per day for children and 150 minutes per week for adults).”

Healthcare providers play a crucial role in assessing obesity. During healthcare visits, they measure weight, height, and waist circumference and inquire about medical history, medications, and weight changes. They also assess lifestyle factors, including dietary patterns, sleep, exercise, and stress, while considering family health history.

In addition to physical examinations, healthcare providers may conduct blood tests to check glucose and cholesterol levels and screen for hormone imbalances. This comprehensive approach helps diagnose obesity and related conditions.

Akinlade recommended that breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months of a baby’s life can reduce the risk of childhood obesity.