World Obesity Day: Hidden habits driving South Africa’s weight crisis, according to experts

This year, World Obesity Day, observed on 4 March, is commemorated under the theme, “8 billion reasons to act on obesity”. Convened by the World Obesity Federation, the theme highlights how daily habits, food choices, and inactivity contribute to obesity. The campaign focuses on vulnerable communities, particularly children, and aims to raise awareness and encourage action.

According to theWorld Obesity Federation, one billion people are living with obesity globally. In South Africa, the South African Metabolic Medicine and Surgery Society(SAMMSS)highlighted that nearly one in three adults is living with obesity, more than 10 million people. A report published this year by the University of Cape Town, which forms part of the four-yearFoodSAMSA project, found that in many neighbourhoods, the easiest food options are the least nutritious.

The project addresses both undernutrition and overnutrition in South Africa. Dr Jessica Hamuy Blanco, Product and Clinical Risk Executive at Dis-Chem, says modern lifestyles also limit movement. “We have engineered physical activity out of our daily lives.

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Sitting has become the default, but our bodies were never designed for that level of stillness. Movement is not optional self-care; it is a biological requirement,” she says. Lizeth Kruger, Dis-Chem Clinic Executive, says obesity is not simply about personal discipline.

“We have to recognise that many South Africans are navigating a system that makes unhealthy choices convenient and affordable, while healthier options often cost more or require more time,” she explains. Kruger identifies five daily habits that can contribute to weight gain and offers steps to address each one:

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