When you think of the issues plaguing Africa, you think of the high HIV/AIDS cases, malnutrition and poverty or any of the number of problems there. As of now, research shows that obesity is now an epidemic in Africa. In case you did not know, obesity is a disease. By definition it is a condition where excess body fat has built up to the extent that it has adverse effects on health leading to a reduction in life expectancy. It is said that 64% of the black population and 50% of the white population are obese. With the idea of obesity, you wonder about those starving. Africa is still a nation of poverty and starvation but because of the outsourcing of jobs, people have resorted to the American way of eating cheaply; fast and fried foods. Also no one is working so there is no exercise taking place. Workers get exercise from walking to and from work or working in itself can burn calories which over time can burn fat. Africans have made it seem okay to gain weight because it gives the impression that you don’t have HIV/AIDS which does give you slim appearance, making you look sickly. As good as it sounds to them, it’s not healthy. They don’t see the danger of obesity. Obesity in itself (being SEEN overweight) is a major issue. But the other issues are underlying, that you can contract other diseases such as heart disease and diabetes which can also kill you.
I found this article to be very interesting. The first thing I think of when I hear Africa is poverty (and blood diamonds) not obesity. It came as a surprise that such a thing could actually happen in Africa. It’s sad to know there is no happy medium. There are 2 tragedies taking over, either being poorly nourished or being morbidly obese. Now more destruction is being added to an already declining country.
6 comments:
I agree with you when you said when you think of Africa you think "poverty". I never really thought of Africa having morbidly obese people. This interested me a lotm i'd like to know more about this subject.
i understand where your coming from,but is obesity a disease or a life style?? a disease is somthing that can't b controlled. people choose to eat.
I think that this post is really interesting because I knew that there was obesity in Africa because of lack of food, but not because other reasons along with food. I like the article you found and I think that it was interesting.
I never knew that this was happening in Africa but it’s perfectly understandable. Putting on the impression that you are healthier by having excess weight would be highly desirable. I hate the fact that American diet and culture is the thing aiding this to occur. American culture is progressive but comes with many downfalls including diet. African countries have enough to deal with, without adding obesity to the mix.
It is important to remember that Africa isn't JUST miles and miles of impoverished villages. While this makes up the majority of the continent, South Africa (Durban, etc) is sometimes considered more technologically advanced than America. However, I still certainly believe the starvation and disease are the biggest problems in Africa - not obesity.
That is crazy! So there is an epidemic of obesity in Africa. Apparently they wish to show weight because it makes you appear like you don't have AIDS. I was told that looking Plus size almost was a way of showing wealth because to look full must meal you have lots of money to fill your belly. I am curious how obesity are these people and I curious what would be considered obesity because in America we have various ranges. The las thing I am curious about is where is this obesity epidemic more prevalent and do the people see this as a problem or does this author of this article do. Nor once do we have an expert speaking on this subject just the author talking.
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