Kenyan women are among the most overweight in Africa
according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The report, which champions for proper diet and
psycho-social stimulation right from childhood, ranked Kenya in 9th position in
Africa.
Kenya is ranked behind Swaziland, Lesotho, Gabon,
Ghana, Mauritania, Comoros, Zimbabwe, and Sao Tome in that particular
order.
The report used data from national surveys of 47 countries
dating as far back as 2000 to 2016. The research involved women aged between 18
and 49.
The Africa Nutrition Report indicates that the
percentage of women classified as overweight in Africa stands at a median
of 23.8 percent.
The range is from 5.7 percent in Ethiopia to 50.6 percent in
Swaziland, with Kenya recording 32.8 percent.
The report, released on November 16, also indicates
that one in three adult women are overweight and the rate stands at 40
percent.
Kenya was also ranked 23rd (4.1 percent) in Africa
where a growing number of children under five years old are
overweight. The median prevalence is 4.1 percent.
Countries with the least underweight children are Senegal,
Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Benin, Nigeria, Central African Republic and Eritrea.
WHO regional director Matshidiso Moetit says Africa
needs to work harder to avoid the long-term consequences of malnutrition and
poor health on children’s future.
