FIGURE 17.
Prevalence of obesity among adults in Africa by subregion
Source: WHO.
https://doi.org/10.4060/cb7496en-fig17
https://doi.org/10.4060/cb7496en-fig17
Chapter 3 Additional World Health Assembly nutrition indicators
This section assesses progress towards three additional WHA endorsed global nutrition targets, i.e. exclusive breastfeeding, low birthweight, and adult obesity.
3.1 Adult obesity
In 2016, the prevalence of adult obesity was 12.8 percent in Africa, similar to the global rate of 13.1 percent. The increase in the prevalence over the 2000–2016 period was also similar in Africa (4.9 percent) compared to the global increase (4.4 percent) (Figure 17 and Table 10).15 As is the case for the prevalence of child overweight, the prevalence of adult obesity in Southern and Northern Africa, at 25.2 and 27.1 percent respectively, is significantly higher than in the other regions (7.9 percent in Central Africa, 6.4 percent in Eastern Africa and 8.9 percent in Western Africa). While the prevalence has risen in all subregions between 2010 and 2016, it has risen faster in Northern and Southern Africa (by 8.2 and 8.4 percent respectively) compared to the other subregions (3.8 percent for Central Africa, 3.2 percent for Eastern Africa and 4.7 percent for Western Africa). 15 Currently the latest data for adult obesity is for 2016. Updated adult obesity estimates will be released in late 2021.
TABLE 10.
Prevalence of obesity among adults (percent)
| 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | |
| World | 8.7 | 9.9 | 11.2 | 12.5 | 12.8 | 13.1 |
| Africa | 7.9 | 9.3 | 10.8 | 12.1 | 12.4 | 12.8 |
| Central Africa | 3.8 | 4.9 | 6.1 | 7.3 | 7.6 | 7.9 |
| Eastern Africa | 3.2 | 4.0 | 4.9 | 5.8 | 6.1 | 6.4 |
| Northern Africa | 17.0 | 19.3 | 22.0 | 24.1 | 24.6 | 25.2 |
| Southern Africa | 18.7 | 21.3 | 24.0 | 26.0 | 26.6 | 27.1 |
| Western Africa | 4.2 | 5.3 | 6.8 | 8.1 | 8.5 | 8.9 |
Source: WHO.
The high prevalence of adult obesity in Southern Africa is driven entirely by the very high rate of adult obesity in South Africa (28.3 percent) (Figure 18).16 Even though rates in Egypt (32 percent) and Libya (32.5 percent) are higher, and are nearly as high in Algeria (27.4 percent), the average is lowered by the very low prevalence in Sudan (not shown in Figure 18). 16 It is perhaps of interest to note that while the prevalence of adult obesity is higher in Southern Africa than in Northern Africa, the reverse is true for the prevalence of childhood overweight.
FIGURE 18.
Prevalence of obesity among adults in Africa by country
Source: WHO.
https://doi.org/10.4060/cb7496en-fig18
https://doi.org/10.4060/cb7496en-fig18
No subregion is on track towards meeting the WHA adult obesity target for 2030, and the situation has worsened in all subregions.17 17 FAO, IFAD, UNICEF, WFP & WHO. 2021. The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2021. Transforming food systems for food security, improved nutrition and affordable healthy diets for all. Rome, FAO. https://doi.org/10.4060/cb4474en
Addressing adult overweight and obesity starts with addressing child overweight, with some key approaches noted above. It is essential to promote and develop policies and interventions in the food system as well as in key sectors, such as health, transport and education. Such interventions can reduce the intake of energy-dense foods that are high in fat and sugars as well as increase physical activity in the population.18 18 See also: FAO, ECA & AUC. 2020. Africa Regional Overview of Food Security and Nutrition 2019. Containing the damage of economic slowdowns and downturns to food security in Africa. Rome (www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/ca7343en/) and; FAO, ECA & AUC. 2021. Africa regional overview of food security and nutrition 2020: Transforming food systems for affordable healthy diets. Accra, FAO.