Safety, Lack of Healthy Foods Contribute to Rising Obesity in South Africa
Posted: 06-26-2009 : RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. -— While many Americans associate health concerns in South Africa primarily with infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, rising rates of obesity and noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease are also becoming increasing public health concerns.

Almost one-fifth of South African children are overweight.

Concerns about safety, lack of sources for healthy food and few resources for physical activity are contributing to the rise in childhood obesity, according to a study by researchers at the George Washington University, MRC South Africa and RTI International.

The study was published online in the spring 2009 issue of Social Marketing Quarterly.

"There are substantial environmental barriers to improved nutrition and physical activity in South Africa," said Jonathan Blitstein, Ph.D., a senior research scientist in the Public Health and Environment Division at RTI and the study’s co-author. “Families have little disposable income, junk food is readily accessible, people lack access to healthy lifestyle information and urban areas offer few safe places for children to play.”

The researchers interviewed parents living in 22 low-income urban, rural and township Western Cape school districts on topics including nutrition and physical activity, media use and potential social marketing messages. This study serves to form the basis for planning a social marketing intervention for families and surrounding communities.

"Our study indicates that in order to begin counteracting the rising obesity rates, a public health strategy needs to use school environments to reach children and teachers, use home environments to reach parents, and use social marketing to educate parents," Blitstein said.

The results showed the best way to inform South Africa about nutrition is through print and radio, and the best way to reach parents about physical activity is through television and word of mouth.

The study was funded by RTI International.

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