By Michael Gwarisa
Zimbabwe is experiencing a surge in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) linked to poor lifestyles and consumption of unhealthy diets, the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) has warned.
Recent data from the annual Obesity Atlas shows that 2.9 million Zimbabwean children will be having high Body Mass Index (BMI) by year 2035 and the number of children who had high BMI in 2020 was 1,155,173. This according to the report will likely trigger an increase in stroke related health complications, diabetes linked to BMI among other conditions.
In an interview with HealthTimes on the side-lines of an Infodemic Workshop in Kadoma hosted by OPHID, Acting Director NCDs in the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), Dr Justice Mudavanhu said unhealthy diets comprising mainly of processed foods, were among the major factors behind the increase in NCDs in the younger population.
The economic transition that is there is also contributing to a rise in NCDs. As economies arise, traditionally people would east traditional foods but young people are eating processed diets and this is contributing to the rise in NCDs,” said Dr Mudavanhu.
Lifestyle changes for example smoking, use of alcohol, unhealthy diets and also physical inactivity are some of the risk factors contributing to a NCDs surge in young people.
“Traditionally, people used to say NCDs are for the old generation but in Zimbabwe, we have been experiencing the rise of NCDs in the young population.”
He added that the lack of awareness was another reason for the rise in NCDs in Zimbabwe since NCDs are usually silent, and only manifest themselves when it’s already too late at times. He said there is need for regular check-ups and health education in order to address the scourge of NCDs.
“Young find that we are now recording Hypertension cases in younger people. According to our register, we have 1,2 million on treatment for Hypertension but in that cohort of people, there is also large proportion of young people who have got elevated Hypertension, “ said Dr Mudavanhu.
He also said there is also genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the rise in NCDs in young people.
Meanwhile, data from the World Obesity Atlas shows that 79% of adults with overweight and obesity will live in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) by 2035 while 88% of children with overweight and obesity will be living in LMICs by 2035. It is also projected that the number of adults living with obesity will rise from 0.81 billion in 2020 to 1.53 billion in 2035
In Zimbabwe, the Obesity Atlas noted that there is currently a 4.4% Annual growth rate in the projected number of adults with high Body Mass Index (BMI) 2020–2035. The report also noted a 6.5% Annual growth rate in the projected numbers of children with high BMI 2020–2035 in Zimbabwe.
The estimated burden of obesity in Zimbabwe by year 2035 is 6.9 Million adults and 2.9 million children, bringing the estimated number of people with obesity to 9.9 million by 2025. The report further noted that in 2019, 5,250 Zimbabweans died from stroke due to high BMI while 1,700 people died from diabetes linked to high BMI. Another 3,500 died from Coronary heart diseases.
