In Kenya, there seem to be a higher obesity rate for the female demographic than their male counterparts. A recent study reveals that this is likely due to lifestyle and bad eating habits amongst others. Additionally, the cost of a healthy diet in the country and the activity disparity between males and females are contributing factors.
A report by NCD-Risc; a network of health scientists across the globe, seen in the Kenyan Business newspaper, BusinessDaily, revealed that 19.3% of Kenyan women suffered from obesity as opposed to 6.3% of the men.
The study which was conducted within 3 decades shows that 2.7 million women in Kenya were obese compared to 760,000 men as of 2022.
The report lays down several reasons why the disparity in obesity between Kenyan men and women is so glaring. The first is the fact that Kenyan women have worse eating habits than men, while also engaging in less physical activities.
According to research published in Frontiers in Nutrition, obesity is a result of our lifestyle, which includes how we live, what we consume, and how much we eat.
Another reason why the disparity exists is genetics. Individuals from big-bodied families are more likely to become obese themselves.
And finally, the report suggests that hormones particularly the female hormones can be responsible for obesity in Kenyan women. The abundance of estrogen in women causes an increase in the size of hips, thighs, and breasts.
In another research by KDHS; a KNBS social survey, the greatest rates were found in Kirinyaga (64.6%) and Nyeri (63%) for women, and Kajiado (31.1%) and Kiambu (28.2%) for males.
Obesity is associated with an increased chance of acquiring a variety of health issues, including some malignancies, type II diabetes, heart disorders, and other life-threatening diseases.
An interview conducted by the British service broadcaster BBC, with Prof Ezzati- an expert in global environmental health, highlights that the prevalence of marketing campaigns for unhealthy foods is the reason why so many Kenyan women have developed poor eating habits.
The World Bank also relayed via a 2017 study that the cost of a healthy diet in Kenya is $2.86, with fruits and vegetables being the most expensive food items to purchase in the East African country.
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