The Nutrition Transition in Africa: Can It Be Steered into a More Positive Direction?

Vorster, Hester H.; Kruger, Annamarie; Margetts, Barrie

doi:10.3390/nu3040429

Cited by 168 publications

(188 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…The THUSA study revealed decreased consumption of staple foods and plant-based proteins and increased consumption of energy dense snack-based foods, sweetened carbonated beverages, red meat, fast foods, and convenience foods. 13 The nutrition transition in Africa is occurring along with the demographic (a shift from high mortality to improved lifestyle and health status) and epidemiologic (a change in disease pattern from infectious to chronic degenerative diseases) transitions. 14 The simultaneous occurrence of the demographic and epidemiologic transitions together with the nutrition transition contributes to the increasing shift towards obesity and diet-related noncommunicable diseases.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Local Food Environment and Body Mass Index among the Urban Poor in Accra, Ghana

Dake

Thompson

et al. 2016

J Urban Health

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Obesity in the sub-Saharan Africa region has been portrayed as a problem of affluence, partly because obesity has been found to be more common in urban areas and among the rich. Recent findings, however, reveal rising prevalence among the poor particularly the urban poor. A growing body of literature mostly in Western countries shows that obesity among the poor is partly the result of an obesogenic-built environment. Such studies are lacking in the African context. This study examines the characteristics of the local food environment in an urban poor setting in Accra, Ghana and further investigates the associated risk of obesity for residents. Data on the local food environment was collected using geographic positioning system (GPS) technology. The body mass indices (BMI) of females (15-49 years) and males (15-59 years) were calculated from measured weight and height. Data on the socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyle behaviors of respondents was also collected through a household survey. Spatial analysis tools were used to examine the characteristics of the local food environment while the influence of the food environment on BMI was examined using a twolevel multilevel model. The measures of the food environment constituted the level 2 factors while individual socio-demographic characteristics and lifestyle behaviors constituted the level 1 factors. The local food environment in the study communities is suggestive of an obesogenic food environment characterized by an abundance of out-of-home cooked foods, convenience stores, and limited fruits and vegetables options. The results of the multilevel analysis reveal a 0.2 kg/m 2 increase in BMI for every additional convenience store and a 0.1 kg/m 2 reduction in BMI for every out-of-home cooked food place available in the study area after controlling for individual socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle behaviors, and community characteristics. The findings of this study indicate that the local food environment in urban poor Accra is associated with increased risk of obesity through providing access to convenience stores. In order to reduce the risk of obesity in these urban poor communities, there is the need to regulate the availability of and access to convenience stores while also encouraging healthier offerings in convenience stores.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Local Food Environment and Body Mass Index among the Urban Poor in Accra, Ghana

Dake

Thompson

et al. 2016

J Urban Health

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“…As articulated by Popkin (6) , Popkin and Gordon-Larsen (7) and supported by others, nutrition transition develops over time and has five fairly distinct phases, but most countries are between phases 3 and 5 (6)(7)(8) (Fig. 1).…”

Section: What Is the Nutrition Transition?mentioning

confidence: 80%

Evidence of nutrition transition in Southern Africa

et al. 2015

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Nutrition transition is characterised by shift to highly refined diets high in fat, salt and caloric sweeteners and low in fibre in rapidly growing economies. Dietary shifts occur almost concurrently with demographic and epidemiologic shifts, urbanisation and industrialisation and together contribute to increased prevalence of nutrition related (NR)-non-communicable disease (NCR). The emergence of nutrition transition in Southern Africa countries (SAC) was examined using anthropometric, NCD prevalence, and food consumption data. The findings reveal growing prevalence of overweight and obesity (OWOB) across SAC, with national prevalence estimated between 30 and 60 % in all but two SAC. Overweight prevalence in excess of 60 % has been reported in some sub-population groups. Hypertension prevalence of at least 30 % has also been reported. Further, the prevalence of OWOB and hypertension in many SAC exceeds that of HIV and is often at par with stunting in children. NCD are equally serious public health problems as stunting and HIV. Collectively, NR-NCD explain 20-31 % of mortality for Botswana, South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique and Zambia. At least 72 % of adults in SAC have fewer servings of fruit and vegetable servings daily than recommended. Additionally, adults in SAC do poorly in physical activity; 31-75 % do not exercise regularly. Not surprisingly, 15-40 % of adults in SAC have at least three risk factors of CVD. SAC are grappling with NR-NCD which threaten to surpass infectious diseases burden. SAC are at various levels in interventions for moving their populations to stage 5, but there is room for much improvement.

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“…When populations modernize as a result of socio-economic development, urbanization and acculturation as is observed in SA, it is characterized by changes in dietary paterns and nutrient intakes that increase the risk of the diet-related non-communicable diseases [9]. Non-communicable diseases have emerged in Sub-Saharan Africa at a faster rate and at a lower economic level than in industrialized countries before the batle against under-nutrition could be won.…”

Section: The Status Of Food and Nutrition Security In South Africa (Cmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nutrition-Sensitive Agricultural Development for Food Security in Africa: A Case Study of South Africa

Schönfeldt¹,

Hall²,

Pretorius³

2017

International Development

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The paradox of persistent under-nutrition and food insecurity; as well as the increasing the incidence of over nutrition is particularly observed in middle -income countries experiencing rapid westernisation such as South Africa (SA). Values of household Food insecurity remains high, whereas overweight and obesity are increasing at a rapid rate. Agriculture and the food system play a key role in nutrition, health and food security. It provides for the primary sources of energy along with essential nutrients, while simultaneously being a source of income, creating jobs and earning foreign exchange. This case study presents the current nutrition sensitivity of the SouthAfrican agriculture and food systems (including governmental prioritization) and highlights the importance of this for future development towards improved food and nutrition Security and nutritional status. Since 2013, discussions on a single, comprehensive, food security and nutrition policy and implementation plan for South Africa have been in process with the aim to coordinate the improvement of both food security and all forms of malnutrition. Yet, the case study indings indicate an unfortunate lack of understanding about nutrient density and dietary diversity and the role which this could play in combating non-communicable diseases in addition to food insecurity and hunger.

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The Nutrition Transition in Africa: Can It Be Steered into a More Positive Direction?

Cited by 168 publications

References 27 publications

The Local Food Environment and Body Mass Index among the Urban Poor in Accra, Ghana

The Local Food Environment and Body Mass Index among the Urban Poor in Accra, Ghana

Evidence of nutrition transition in Southern Africa

Nutrition-Sensitive Agricultural Development for Food Security in Africa: A Case Study of South Africa

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