Besides splendid views, Cape Town is home to the healthiest people in South Africa – according to the Discovery Vitality Group in their Vitality Obecity Index 2017. The research shows that 53.5% of Capetonians live healthy lifestyles with normal weight as compared to other South African Cities like Johannesburg, Durban, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, and Port Elizabeth. Although the report brings out the clear picture on consumption per city, its findings majorly touch on South Africa. As a result, this report is comparatively inaccurate when cities outside of South Africa are included.
The report indicated Capetown improved by 7% from 2014. The Group attributes this improvement to the change in shopping habits. “Cape Town purchased the most portions of fruit and vegetables compared to other cities, followed by Johannesburg and Bloemfontein. Port Elizabeth and Durban purchased the least portions of fruit and vegetables. Durban purchased 34% less fruit and vegetables compared to Cape Town, the winning city”, the report says. Capetown, however, did not slow down in the purchases of sugar and salt, which are substances mostly associated with weight gain. Overall, the shift in food preference, among other factors, could have played a major role in improving the lifestyle of Capetonians.
2. KIGALI, RWANDA
The capital city of Rwanda is one of the fastest growing metropolises with a rising population. The 2012-2013 preliminary study on obesity put women at a higher risk of contracting obesity than men in Rwanda. Although the number is still low, it shows signs of increasing rapidly. According to the report the risk of obesity was highest among women at 6.3%, while men were at 2.1%. The government of Rwanda has fortunately put in place initiatives to encourage healthy lifestyles; for example, the East African reports that “there is a government policy to promote physical education in communities, a compulsory weekly physical exercise among all civil servants, and various gym centres, but the Rwanda Biomedical Centre said there is a need for continued education of citizens on the benefits of physical exercise”. According to the Ministry of Health, many did not reach the recommended WHO of at least 5 servings a day of fruits and vegetables.
3. BAHIR DAR, ETHIOPIA
Bahir Dar is a northwestern city and capital of the Amhara region in Ethiopia. It is the southern port of Lake Tana, with a number of tourist attractions in the lake and the Blue Nile – which is known in the area as ‘Abay’. The town is known for its wide avenues lined by palm trees and flowers. Considered to be one of the most beautiful, well organised, and safest cities in the world, the town also has some of the healthiest people in the world. According to research in the International Journal for General Medicine (https://goo.gl/mjzkMY), the May 2015 report says, “Regarding the BMI of the respondents, 104 (2.9%) and 20 (15.3%) respondents were found to be obese and overweight, respectively. Of the total obese and overweight patients, 77 (62.1%) were females” . Though this report majorly focuses on Ethiopia, it gives clear data for comparative studies in major African cities. Therefore, when comparing different studies in Ethiopia, Bahir Dar fared well against cities like Addis Ababa and Gondar; for instance, the case of hypertension showed HTN prevalence in Gondar city in 2014 was 10.3%, while it was 8.6% in Bahir Dar in a 2017 study.
4. ASMARA, ERITREA
Asmara is one of the most beautiful cities in Africa. Named as a UNESCO world heritage site, Asmara has rich architecture rife with 19th and 20th century Italian designs. Being a former colony of Italy, Eritrea turned to be an Italian architectural innovation hub away from conservative Europe.
The capital city of Asmara only adds to this grandeur with a population just under 1 million. According to Jacob Mufunda in his 2006 research titled The Prevalence of Hypertension and its Relationship with Obesity (www.academia.edu), the national tally was at 3.3%; however, the 2017 report on obesity rates puts the population at 4.10%. The fact that it has taken a decade to move 0.8% puts Eritrea in the safe zone. Not too safe though, seeing as the country is ranked 9th on the poor countries list. Nonetheless, the exquisiteness of Asmara and her beautiful people continues to overshadow this small statistic.
5. LOME, TOGO
Known for her resplendent palm-lined Atlantic coastline, Lome is home to the Congressional Palace that houses the National Museum 'and the Central Independence Monument.
According to the research done in Prevalence and Determinants of Obesity among workers in Lome (Togo) in 2013, studies discovered that the frequency of obesity was 30.8 % and abdominal obesity was 39.4% – both with a significant female prevalence.
6. DAKAR, SENEGAL
The capital of this former French colony overlooks the Atlantic Ocean on the Cape Vert Peninsula. The city’s main museum, Theodore Monod, displays the country’s rich cultural heritage among other crafts.
Research conducted in 2016 found that about 87% of Dakar city dwellers are healthy. This could be attributed to the vibrant life present in the West African city. Dakar is among the cities in Africa where the prevalence of obesity is still low, but not low enough to cause less hiccups in the country’s economy. In a 2016 research study, Hypertension and Obesity in Dakar Senegal, it was found that of the 984 respondents, “in terms of BMI, the prevalence of underweight, overweight, and general obesity were 12.6%, 19.2%, and 9.7%”.
7. BRAZZAVILLE, CONGO
Brazzaville is the capital of the Republic of Congo, along the River Congo. Just opposite is Kinshasa, which is the Capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Brazzaville has various attractions; Loufoulakari Falls, 80Kms outside Brazzaville and the Congo Rapids, is one of them.
The research in the World Journal of Cardiovascular diseases Volume 4 No. 2 (2014) on the prevalence of obesity in Brazzaville was comparative. Essentially, it viewed how levels of inactivity increase the level of obesity among people. In the research, bank workers had higher obesity prevalence than railway workers. However, the research places the city’s general obesity prevalence at 20%.
8. BAMAKO, MALI
The capital and industrial hub of Mali has a population of about 1.8 million people. Graced by the navigable Niger River, Bamako’s attractions transcend culture, history, and architectural marvel.
In Overweight and Obesity in the Population over 20 Years in Urban Bamako, Mali, the city’s obesity prevalencefor 2016 was at 15%. Given Bamako’s population, this percentage loosely translates to a healthy society.
9. KAMPALA, UGANDA
Bordering Africa’s largest lake, Lake Victoria, Kampala is the political and commercial capital of Uganda. Kampala has a population of an estimated 1.5 million people. Additionally, the city is home to the Kasubi tombs and the Lubiri Palace, which is situated on the nearby Mengo Hills.
90% of Uganda’s young adults are healthy, according to 2010 research conducted by Makerere Medical School. Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in Young Adults Uganda shows that the percentage prevalence of being obese and overweight in the Kampala District is around 4.4% and 10.2%.
According to an article that appeared in the 2011 East African Magazine, Ugandans generally consume 65Kg of fruit and vegetables per day, which is almost half the amount (146kg) recommended by WHO and FAO.
10. DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA
Dar Es Salaam is a picturesque Indian Ocean port city in Tanzania. As of 2012, UN data estimated that the city’s population was about 4.3 million. Common tourist attractions include the Open Air Museum and Coco Beach among others.
Dar Es Salaam’s population is healthy, save for the 13% and 36% obesity prevalence among men and women shown in a 2012 study .
The above cities were chosen based on the World Obesity Index per country, except for Cape Town whose data was obtained from a comparative study of South African cities by Discovery Vitality. The results above may need further research carried out by institutions such as the African Union (AU) or AMREF Health Africa, so that we may have accurate data for all countries in Africa. Furthermore, there is need for the malnutrition index in Africa to establish a stable way for handling both malnutrition and obesity in the continent.
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