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Almost 50% of adult South Africans are overweight or obese. Poverty and poor nutrition are largely to blame

Almost 50% of adult South Africans are overweight or obese. Poverty and poor nutrition are largely to blame

MALNUTRITION, in all its forms, includes undernutrition (wasting, stunting, underweight), inadequate vitamins or minerals, overweight and obesity. South Africa has undergone a nutritional transition over the past 30 years characterised by the triple burden of malnutrition: households are simultaneously experiencing undernutrition, hidden hunger, and overweight or obesity due to nutrient-poor diets. Results of the first in-depth, nationwide study into food and nutrition since 1994, the National Food and Nutrition Security Survey, found almost half the adult population of South Africa were overweight or obese. While there was sufficient food to feed everyone through domestic production and imports, many families and…
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Poor nutrition changes the way a body fights infection: this might protect against severe COVID-19

Poor nutrition changes the way a body fights infection: this might protect against severe COVID-19

Back at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, case numbers on the continent were still modest. But predictions and projections suggested the disease was going to cut a swathe through Africa. In April 2020 the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa sounded the alarm bell: Anywhere between 300,000 and 3.3 million African people could lose their lives as a direct result of COVID-19, depending on the intervention measures taken to stop the spread. BURTRAM C. FIELDING, Professor and Director: Research Development, University of the Western Cape DEWALD SCHOEMAN, PhD Candidate, Molecular Biology and Virology, University of the Western Cape The…
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