According to Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) the number of obese women in Kenya is on the rise compared to men. The study indicates that women from urban areas make up the largest proportion of women who are overweight or obese. This increasing trend is associated with urbanization, access to and consumption of junk food that are high in calories, and decreased physical activity.
I couldn’t help wondering if perhaps men have formed a habit of skipping meals and enjoy a drink instead for dinner while ladies do a bit of tasking when cooking?
Monica Wanjiku, a nurse at Bliss healthcare during a medical camp in Nairobi noted that participants at medical camps with a BMI of 25.0 and above are in the overweight category. ( BMI is used as an indicator for body fat and is defined as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared).
A study showed that approximately one in 3 women in Kenya were either overweight or obese.
“Overweight and obesity is associated with a higher prevalence of major diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, overweight or obese women are at substantially higher risk of negative maternal outcomes such as gestational diabetes, induction of labour, caesarean sections, and postpartum hemorrhage.” She said
During these camps, Ms Monica says that participants are advised to adopt an active lifestyle. A one hour walk or even 30-minute jog or run a day will improve even the quality of life. People should also watch the kind of meals they take. Eating healthy balanced meals definitely affect the weight gain/loss process.
Bliss Healthcare has embarked on a Corporate Social Responsibility Program, that has free medical camps testing BMI, Blood sugar and Blood Pressure.
