With the highest obesity rates in sub-Saharan Africa and tens of thousands of new diabetes cases diagnosed every month, South Africa is experiencing a health crisis akin to the HIV epidemic.
Lucky Nkosi, a pregnant and obese mother from Alexandra township, is living this crisis on a daily basis. Nkosi is a part of the 70-percent of obese and overweight women in South Africa at risk of developing diabetes, heart disease and even cancer.
As obesity is a form of malnutrition, it puts pregnant women’s babies at risk of various birth defects, including stunting and early-onset diabetes. The expense associated with healthy foods means making healthier lifestyle choices is entwined with poverty, something that’s a reality for millions of South Africans.
WATCH Lucky’s story below:
This video first appeared on eNCA, Health24 and SABC’s Health Talk.
