Obesity mainly refers to a condition in which a person carries excess body weight with a body mass index (BMI) of over 30. BMI is an index of weight-for-height that is used to classify overweight and obesity, especially in adults.

The BMI is defined as a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of his height in meters (kg/m2).

The Ministry of Health’s 2015 STEPwise survey, found that 27 percent of Kenyan adults are either overweight or obese. Nearly 40 per cent of these Kenyans are women while 18 per cent are men.

Causes and risk factors

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity occurs when there is an imbalance between the calories a person consumes and the calories a person burns.

This imbalance follows the uptake of foods that are high in fat and sugars, and an increase in lack of physical activity. Obesity is also caused by genetic factors. Body mass index is 25 to 40 per cent hereditary.

However, the genetic factor only affects weight when coupled with environmental and behavioural factors such as poor eating habits. In children, genetic factor accounts for less than five per cent of cases of childhood obesity.

Chronic Kidney Disease: Causes, symptoms, treatment, prevention

Obesity is considered a risk factor for chronic diseases. It is the leading risk factor for diabetes, and is estimated to account for between 80 and 85 per cent of the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.

This is because being overweight and obesity increase the risk for raised blood glucose levels and high blood pressure. According to Dr. Patrick Kihiu, a general physician in Makueni County, one of the risk factors of obesity during childhood is the likelihood of obesity being carried into adulthood.

He adds that obesity is also linked with glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, menstrual abnormalities, impaired balance, and even orthopedic problems.

The non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is most often a result of being overweight. Seven to ten people with the disease are usually obese. It is particularly common in men, and people living with diabetes.

It occurs when fat builds up in the cells of the liver, in some cases after consumption of unhealthy diets such as excessive consumption of saturated fats.

According to the research that was published in the medical journal Hepatology by the US based Texas A&M AgriLife Research Centre, the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) can be controlled using indole, a natural compound that is found in gut bacteria and cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, cabbages and kales.

Overcoming obesity

If one person in the family has obesity, the WHO recommends that you introduce healthy habits to the whole family.

This will help the child who is struggling with obesity to avoid feeling single out, stigmatized, or odd.

Here is a compilation of things you can do to help your child fight obesity according to the WHO and the Johns Hopkins Medicine:

• Serving more fruits and vegetables in your meals. This should entail at least five servings of fruits.
• Avoid buying high calorie foods and snacks that are high in fats. Also avoid buying too many sodas.
• Introduce daily physical activity. These activities should be at least long 60 minutes per day.
• Encourage your family to eat only when hungry and not simply because food or snacks are available.
• Reduce the amount of time spent in front of the television to about one to two hours per day.
• Be the example by following a healthy diet and exercising to keep your weight in check.

Local and global stats on obesity

According to the World Health Organization:

• Obesity has nearly tripled across the world since 1975.
• By 2020, 39 million children aged five years and under were overweight or obese
• By 2016, over 340 million children and adolescents aged between five and nineteen years were overweight or obese.
• By 2016, over 1.9 billion people aged 18 years and over were overweight. Out of these, 650 million people were obese.
• Data from the Ministry of Health shows that at least 27 per cent of Kenyans are either overweight or obese. 38.5 per cent of these are women while 17.5 per cent are men.
• Kenya National Bureau of Statistics data shows that nearly 50 per cent of women aged between 40 and 49 years are either overweight or obese.