World Obesity Day: CAPPA Urges Govt To Act Against Junk Food, Rising NCDs

As the world marks World Obesity Day (WOD), the Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) has renewed its call for stronger policies to promote healthy diets and curb rising obesity rates and related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country.

In a statement on Tuesday, CAPPA highlighted the alarming global obesity statistics, reinforcing its advocacy for urgent measures to reduce Nigerians’ consumption of sugary drinks, a major risk factor for obesity.

The civil society organisation specifically urged the government to increase the Sugar-Sweetened Beverage (SSB) Tax from N10 per litre to N130 per litre or set it at no less than 20 per cent of the retail price.

World Obesity Day, observed annually on March 4, promotes solutions for achieving and maintaining healthy weight levels. This year’s theme, “Changing Systems, Healthier Lives,” calls for reforms across food systems, healthcare, governments, media, workplaces, and communities to address the root causes of obesity.

Executive Director of CAPPA,  Akinbode Oluwafemi, stressed the urgency of action, citing grim forecasts from the World Obesity Federation (WOF).

According to WOF, by 2035, 1.9 billion people or one in four globally will be living with obesity, costing the world economy an estimated $4.32 trillion. This marks a 100 per cent increase in childhood obesity from 2020 to 2035.

Oluwafemi lamented the growing obesity trend in Nigeria, a country previously thought to be immune to high obesity rates.

“As of 2020, more than 21 million Nigerians aged 15 and above were overweight, while 12 million were obese, with an age-adjusted prevalence rate of about 20 per cent and 12 per cent, respectively,” he stated, citing data from the National Library of Medicine.

CAPPA also condemned multinational food corporations for aggressively marketing ultra-processed and sugary food products to Nigerian children and youth.

“These junk foods are fueling overweight and obesity rates while undermining indigenous, nutritious diets,” Oluwafemi said. He warned that Nigeria is losing invaluable manpower and productivity due to obesity-related hospitalizations and chronic disabilities.

Citing the World Health Organization (WHO), he noted that obese children face a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, sleep disorders, and liver disease. Childhood obesity also increases the likelihood of obesity and chronic diseases in adulthood.

CAPPA reiterated its call for a significant increase in the country’s SSB tax to discourage excessive sugar consumption. It urged the government to allocate revenue from the tax to healthcare services, particularly in tackling NCDs linked to obesity.

“Taking action on obesity is a critical step in reducing the burden of other chronic diseases,” Oluwafemi emphasised.

The organiaation pledged to continue advocating for policies that promote healthier eating habits and protect Nigerians from diet-related diseases.