Research
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Rapid urbanization and globalization in South Africa drive a nutritional transition characterized by increased consumption of high-fat, high-sugar processed foods and decreased physical activity, leading to a significant rise in obesity prevalence across all demographic groups.
To combat obesity in urbanizing environments, policy and individual actions must focus on modifying the food environment (limiting access to cheap, high-fat processed foods) and increasing opportunities for physical activity, rather than relying solely on individual willpower.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
The obesity epidemic among South Africans reflects globalisation, which is the primary driving mechanism towards nutritional transition... Globalisation thus increases the risk amongst the urban population by creating an environment that promotes consumption of food rich in fat and sugar.
Why this rating
Based on a comprehensive review of multiple national surveys and regional studies cited in the text.
Source
Obesity in South Africa: challenges for government and health professionals
Herculina S. Kruger et al. · Public Health Nutrition · 2005
DOI 10.1079/phn2005785
narrative_reviewCited 227×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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