(S. Africa) Childhood obesity linked to hypertension, diabetes in kids
- Jul 30, 2025
- 3 min read
July 16, 2025,Saturday Star: Why South Africa must urgently tackle childhood obesity and its health risks
Young children in South Africa are developing serious health conditions such as high blood pressure, high glucose and abnormal cholesterol levels usually only seen in adults, due to obesity.
This was revealed in a study conducted by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital in Durban, which assessed obesity-related comorbidities in children under the age of 12.
The study analysed health records of 430 children treated for obesity between 2012 and 2022. More than a quarter 27.9% of the children were under the age of five, the average age was just over seven years. Nearly half of the children had hypertension 46.1%, while another 12.8% were found to be pre-hypertensive.
In addition, 30.2% had dyslipidaemia, abnormal cholesterol or fat levels in the blood, and about 5% had either prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. . . .
The role of unhealthy lifestyle habits was also flagged, as many of the children reported behaviours known to contribute to weight gain and cardiometabolic issues.
Almost half (47.9%) consumed sugary soft drinks daily, 43.5% spent more than two hours a day on screens, and 42.3% engaged in less than 30 minutes of physical activity per day.
A strong family history of obesity, diabetes and hypertension among participants, and researchers said this, may point to both genetic predispositions and unhealthy family environments where poor diet and inactivity are common.
Professor Nasheeta Peer, one of the study’s authors and a researcher at the SAMRC’s Non-Communicable Diseases Research Unit, stated that the high burden of chronic diseases in children, some as young as five, is a red flag.
“These are conditions we typically expect in middle-aged adults, yet they’re already taking root in childhood due to obesity. The data show a clear link between lifestyle and these health conditions. We must intervene early if we want to reverse the trend,” Peer said.
Researchers recommended urgent implementation of interventions that focus on prevention, including encouraging healthy diets, increasing physical activity, and reducing screen time in children.
They also encouraged routine screening of children for obesity and its associated conditions so that early treatment can be provided.
“The earlier we act, the better the outcomes. Children with high glucose or high blood pressure levels still have a chance to reverse these conditions. But without action, we are looking at a generation facing high rates of heart disease and diabetes by the time they reach adulthood,” said Peer.
The researchers also emphasised the need for broader, multi-sectoral action, including tackling the political, socioeconomic and environmental drivers of obesity; such as the easy availability of unhealthy foods, inadequate recreational spaces, and limited access to health services.
Dr Laurencia Govender, a senior lecturer for dietetics and human nutrition at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, said dietary changes that can directly target obesity-related comorbidities in children include eating a well-balanced diet in the correct portions, and reducing added sugars, salt, saturated and trans fats, and fried and processed foods. . . .
“Families must foster supportive environments where children never feel singled out. Eating should remain a joyful, shared experience that strengthens family bonds. Families should prioritise activities together and minimise screen time to nurture these connections,” she said.
There has been a shift from traditional diets to more westernised practices. In South Africa, eating patterns are deeply rooted in community and cultural traditions. These traditional diets should not be abandoned but instead adapted using healthier cooking methods, adjusted portions and a focus on balanced meals, Govender said. . . .
Nzama Mbalati, chief executive of the Healthy Living Alliance (HEALA) said the findings of this study paint a deeply troubling picture of the health crisis facing “our” children, who are exposed to aggressive marketing tactics by the food and beverage industry, pushing ultra-processed and unhealthy products that are cheap, accessible, and often sold right in or near their schools. . . .
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