Where does the black population of South Africa stand on the nutrition transition?

Abstract

Objective: To review data on selected risk factors related to the emergence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the black population of South Africa. Methods: Data from existing literature on South African blacks were reviewed with an emphasis placed on changes in diet and the emergence of obesity and related NCDs. Design: Review and analysis of secondary data over time relating to diet, physical activity and obesity and relevant to nutrition-related NCDs. Settings: Urban, peri-urban and rural areas of South Africa. National prevalence data are also included. Subjects: Black adults over the age of 15 years were examined. Results: Shifts in dietary intake, to a less prudent pattern, are occurring with apparent increasing momentum, particularly among blacks, who constitute three-quarters of the population. Data have shown that among urban blacks, fat intakes have increased from 16.4% to 26.2% of total energy (a relative increase of 59.7%), while carbohydrate intakes have decreased from 69.3% to 61.7% of total energy (a relative decrease of 10.9%) in the past 50 years. Shifts towards the Western diet are apparent among rural African dwellers as well. The South African Demographic and Health Survey conducted in 1998 revealed that 31.8% of African women (over the age of 15 years) were obese (body mass index (BMI) $ 30 kg m 22

Psychological Intervention to Address Hypertension in South Africa’s Peri-Urban Settlements

“…Peri-urban culture promotes a diet which is high in fat, low in complex carbohydrates, and deficient in essential vitamins and minerals (Bourne, 1996;Bourne et al, 1993Bourne et al, , 2002. Duration of urbanisation has been identified as an independent predictor of hypertension among black persons in Cape Town (Steyn et al, 1996).…”

“…Migration and urbanization has resulted in distinct dietary practices that are characterized by high levels of fat consumption and low levels of carbohydrate and fibre intake (Bourne, Lambert, & Steyn, 2002). This pattern of eating places individuals at greater risk for hypertension.…”

Investigation into longitudinal dietary behaviours and household socio-economic indicators and their association with BMIZ-score and fat mass in South African adolescents: the Birth to Twenty (Bt20) cohort

“…Parallel to these transformations have been lifestyle changes driven by rapid rates of urbanization, from 10 % in 1990 to 56 % in 2005, especially among black South Africans (1) . In addition to infectious diseases and a rise in non-communicable diseases, the South African population also has the added burden of a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS and violence-related trauma (2) ; often this collection of health challenges has been referred to as the 'quadruple burden of disease'.Urbanization in low-and middle-income countries drives changes in food habits and body composition and is associated with both health gains and health risks.In South Africa, between 1940 and 1992, diet among the black population shifted from a prudent pattern (.50 % carbohydrate, ,30 % total fat, ,15 % protein) to one showing a progressive increase in fat (from 16?4 % to 26?2 %) with a concurrent decrease in carbohydrate (from 69?3 % to 61?7 %) (3) .The worldwide prevalence of obesity has reached alarming levels (475 million), affecting people in both high-income countries and low-and middle-income countries. Furthermore, over a billion adults are overweight (4) .…”

Prevalence of Obesity among Urban and Rural Dwellers in Nigeria

“…The higher prevalence of obesity in the urban area compared to rural area is attributable to rapid and unplanned urbanization in developing countries, change from local dietary pattern to western style diet which is driven by the proliferation of fast food outlets in major cities in developing nations. Exposure to and consumption of high fat and refined food high in calorie and a reduced energy expenditure in form of physical inactivity have been implicated [8]. The women were more obese than men with prevalence rates of 15.9% versus 4.0% (p<0.05).…”