Report: Obesity rates rising in Africa, more than any other region

The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) says the highest incidence of obesity is in Africa.

Graziano da Silva, director-general of FAO, said this at the 160th session of the FAO Council in Rome, citing the ‘2018 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World’ report.

He said “obesity affects around 672 million people, with Africa increasing faster than any other region”.

Da Silva pointed out that more than two billion people globally suffer from micronutrient deficiencies.

He added that “obesity affects millions of people, and several billion suffer from diseases caused by vitamin or mineral-deficient diets known as micronutrient deficiencies”.

The UN agriculture chief, therefore, called for transformative changes to our food systems.

He said: “The coexistence of undernutrition, obesity and micronutrient deficiencies – what we know as the triple burden of malnutrition – is spreading and affecting almost every country in the world.

“The international community needs to urgently address this situation by promoting transformative change in our food systems.

“Our Zero Hunger Goal is not just about feeding people, but also providing everyone with the necessary nutrients for a healthy life.”