In numerous African cultures, a big stubborn belly has actually typically represented wealth and success. Nevertheless, this long-held understanding is now showing fatal as obesity-related diseases end up being a leading cause of death.
In Kenya, the association in between weight and status is especially apparent. Obese political leaders frequently make the name “Manager” or “Mkubwa”– Swahili for “huge guy”– a term showing the cultural view of girth as a sign of success. This understanding, nevertheless, masks a growing health crisis. Weight problems contributes considerably to non-communicable illness like diabetes, now the leading cause of death in Kenya. According to the Kenyan health ministry, these illness represent 39% of casualties every year.
This worrying pattern has actually triggered a shift in mindsets, especially amongst more youthful political leaders. Leaders such as the guvs of Nairobi and Mombasa have actually started openly discussing their weight-loss journeys, challenging standard views and highlighting the significance of a healthy way of life. This marks a prospective juncture in a culture where weight has actually long been related with wealth, recommending a growing awareness of the severe health threats related to weight problems.
In a nation where the federal government has actually stated nearly a 3rd of the population is still not able to satisfy food requirements, 13% grownups are overweight, according to the 2025 World Weight Problems Atlas. The contrast highlights the nation’s growing inequality and the appeal of quick and processed foods by those with increasing earnings.
Understandings about weight problems can impact monetary and other choices. In surrounding Uganda, microfinance organizations vetted loan candidates based upon their weight, and those obese were thought about more able to pay back loans, according to a research study released by the American Economic Evaluation in 2023.
” The majority of people seem like when I begin earning money, I need to appear like the cash itself by being fat or overweight,” stated Kenyan nutritional expert Felix Okoth. “They nevertheless do not understand that they are inclining themselves to these way of life conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure.”
The World Health Company’s Africa director has actually called the increasing pattern a “ticking time bomb” for the continent with the world’s youngest and fastest growing population.
Some are attempting to alter the discussion around weight. A previous senator in Kenya, Cleophas Malala, has actually explained how a 15-hour flight to the U.S. left him in discomfort and how physicians encouraged him to minimize.
From a beginning weight of 138 kgs (304 pounds), he started a non-solid diet plan for 90 days. Though he didn’t reveal his present weight, before-and-after pictures reveal him significantly slimmer.
” My associates in parliament seethed that I left the ‘club’ after I slimmed down,” the 39-year-old has actually stated.
Stephen Ogweno, who had youth weight problems and later on ended up being a public health supporter, stated many Kenyan lawmakers do not see the concern as an issue.
” These conversations are kept in parliament where most MPs have huge tummies, therefore confessing that it worries them, too, would be a great location to begin,” he stated.
Kenyan President William Ruto has actually spoken openly about the requirement to be suitabled for work. He needed to assure Kenyans in 2023 that he was alright after online speculation about his health following weight-loss.
” I chose to suffice down due to the fact that the job ahead was difficult,” he informed reporters.
Increasing earnings, expansion of fast-food outlets in metropolitan locations, inactive way of lives and absence of facilities that promotes exercise have actually been called as possible reasons for increasing weight problems in establishing nations.
” We require to ensure that when we move far from absence of food, we are not going to the incorrect food groups,” stated a Kampala-based physician, Miriam Laker Oketta.
Public health projects will assist debunk the understanding that weight is a sign of wealth, stated Caroline Kirui, the Africa director for Job ECHO, an information-sharing platform for health care employees.
Fitness centers, weight-loss drugs and surgical treatments are being significantly marketed in Kenya.
However methods such as the Ozempic weight-loss drug have actually left some users like Caroline Havi disappointed. She stated she turned to a one-meal-a-day diet plan rather and intends to ultimately minimize her weight from 105 kgs to 70 “without investing a lot.”
In South Africa, obesity-related deaths due to non-communicable illness have actually gone beyond HIV-related deaths, according to the WHO. The 2025 World Weight problems Atlas stated 32% of South Africa’s grownups are overweight.
The understanding that weight is a sign of wealth is gradually altering, stated Rebone Ntsie, nutrition director at the National Department of Health.
“There are those who still see it like that, however individuals are likewise seeing the threats and its no longer commemorated as an indication of self-respect, appeal, regard, social status,” she stated.