A health expert has urged people in the country to avoid over consuming foods that have high fats and sugar content, as these may lead to obesity.
Sandra Mapemba, Country Director for Promoting Results and Outcomes through Policy and Economic leavers (PROPEL) health, said obesity which is exacerbated by over consumption of junk food is a serious health problem.
According to Mapemba, it has potential of causing life threatening conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, depression, cervical and breast cancer.
Mapembas sentiments follows a recent WHO report which reveals that one in eight people globally are now living with obesity.
The report further says obesity among adults has more than doubled since 1990, and has quadrupled among children and adolescents.
Ministry of Health statistics show that Malawi has obesity prevalence rate of 4.4 percent among under five children, 18 percent among men and 27 percent among women.
Obesity is medically defined as a state of being very fat or overweight.
By Alufisha Fischer
