Piece by: Naomi Waweru

21 September 2022

• Obesity in Kenya is an endemic that keeps being swept under the carpet but it becomes evident when healthy options become fancy and trendy.

Eating healthy has become personal choice in a world full of cheap delicious and crispy bites that are accessible fast and at the comfort of your home.

This is made possible by online food delivery which have continued to gain more fame and usage in past years.

According to a recent research done by African Uncensored, Nairobi is leading in the number of obesity levels in Kenya , followed by Central Kenya and Mombasa at the third position.

In Mombasa particularly junk food is more accessible and cheaper compared to the healthy food. the average meals in county 001 is fried that is potato fries, viazi karai, the famous biriani.

Does having money contribute more to obesity ?

We might look at it that way since fast food is much more expensive here in Kenya than the healthy options such as greens.

The lifestyle of those with money equals comfort for longer periods therefore, they do not get to spend more of their time doing more energy consuming duties which burn much of the extra pound.

At the same time belonging to the rich bracket does not necessarily contribute to obesity because you might not be buying junk food, it boils down to the lifestyle one chooses.

Many times being a healthy food eater puts you in a cocoon of your own and you are certainly judged for not being normal and just eating meaty foods and curbs especially the ladies .

On the other hand being a plumb person will get you judged as well especially if you are a celebrity here in Kenya.

Trolling and being cyber-bulled for your weight gain is the norm nowadays and it becomes very insensitive for the subject in mind contributing to a negative mental health forcing some of them to even undergo surgeries for fear of ending up obese.

What else causes obesity apart from food?

Longterm stress.

A shared lifestyle in a family set-up causes an obesity burden to the family when they all consume junk food the same.

Which age is more affected by this endemic?

People in their [20- 40]year bracket are more woke on weight especially with the influence of social media to stay fit and maintain it at that and have chosen to join gyms and home workout routines the challenge being to keep showing up and that is where most people fail.

At times it is not their will but fast food is just too yummy to cut off and for some, it is not a battle as life must be enjoyed.

Children suffer weight gain eventually and the blame only goes to their folks for introducing them to such lifestyles: the comfort of binge-watching and having access to technology which takes most of their "play time".

Comparing obesity in Kenya and that in western countries it is more prevalent in western countries than here in Kenya.

It is important to note that gaining weight is not always negative but too much of it is.