Obesity in South Africa is becoming more common and it’s affecting more families. Research from the Human Sciences Research Council found that almost 50% of South African adults are overweight or obese. While the numbers are concerning, they also reflect how much our lifestyles, routines, stress levels, and daily habits have changed over time.
Many of us are spending most of the day sitting. That includes working at a desk, sitting in traffic, watching TV or scrolling on our phones. Combined with convenience foods, busy schedules and less time for movement, these factors can slowly contribute to weight gain without us even realising it.
The good news is that small lifestyle changes can make a real difference. Moving your body more during the day, taking regular walking breaks, getting enough sleep, and making healthier food choices all play an important role in reducing obesity risk and improving overall wellbeing. It’s not about perfection, it’s about building healthier habits that are realistic and sustainable.
From the study:
- Approximately 69% of obese adults lived in food insecure households where families had little dietary choices and were forced to eat food with little nutritional value.
- More than two-thirds (67.9%) of females were either overweight or obese.
- Adults aged 35 to 64 years had a significantly greater prevalence of obesity than younger age groups.
- KwaZulu-Natal had a higher prevalence of obesity (39.4%) compared to the other provinces.
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