Human Habits to blame for Increasing Cases of Obesity in Ghana – Dietician
A Dietician at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi is blaming the increasing cases of overweight amongst the Ghanaian populace and its related effects on the various systems of the body, on improper human habits.
Dr. Afuah Owusu Ansah described obesity as a serious chronic disease capable of adversely affecting the human system through human behaviors.
According to her, habits such as excessive intake of energy giving foods like cassava, plantain and others that contain fat and sugar, lack of exercise, medications, excessive alcohol intake, etc. says the disease can also be inherited naturally.
Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have a negative effect on health.
Forty-three percent of Ghanaian adults are either overweight or obese, a joint study conducted by two universities – Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) and the University of Western Cape in South Africa, has concluded.
Speaking in an interview with Omanba Kwadwo Boafo during the ‘Food Safety, Nutrition and Hygiene’ segment of the Rite Morning Ride on Tuesday, Madam Owusu Ansah warned that obesity can equally lead to health complicated issues such as ulcers, diabetes, heart diseases, insulin resistance, etc.
The dietician therefore in advising the general public to consume lots of vegetables to boost the immune system, also urged them to engage in frequent exercises to burn off excess fats, adding that taking a glass of warm water mixed with lemon each morning before breakfast is a healthy practice against obesity.
While changes in the food environment has been identified as the main factor contributing to the alarming rate of obesity, hypertension and diabetes, the changes in dietary practices, less physical activity and increasing calories have also been identified as the drivers of these diseases.
Source; Prince Paul Amuzu/www.ritefmonline.org/princeamuzu667@gmail.com
