Media statements

South African eating patterns have shifted from under-nutrition to over-nutrition in the last 40 years - without achieving healthy nutrition

The amount of calories consumed by the average South African has increased by 12% between 1962 and 2001, and the amount of fat, proteins and carbohydrates consumed has also increased. This implies that, on a national level, more food is available to consumers in the country than 40 years ago. However, the increase in fat consumption does not bode well for the health of the nation and will influence the emergence of chronic diseases.

The dietary transition of South Africans is described in a newly released report of the SA Medical Research Council, called: Dietary changes and the health transition in South Africa: implications for health policy.

Dr Nelia Steyn of the South African Medical Research Council's Chronic Diseases of Lifestyle Unit says the ongoing nutrition transition is found in children, adults and older people.

"Those people who follow a typical Westernised lifestyle consume a diet with few, if any, of the elements of a healthy, prudent diet. Instead, their diet is high in fat, particularly saturated fat, sugars, and refined carbohydrates. Inadequate amounts of vegetables and fruit are consumed, as well as low levels of vitamins and essential trace elements. In addition, high levels of sodium and low levels of potassium, calcium and magnesium seem to contribute to hypertension. In the black African community there is a movement, particularly in the urban setting, away from traditional high fibre, high carbohydrate intake to a more typical westernised diet. Other South African communities, both urban and rural, consumea predominantly unhealthy Western diet. Lastly, men consume alcohol far more frequently than women do."

These eating patterns are reflected in the high prevalence of overweight and obesity in South Africans of all ages. Another section of the report states that 22% of children aged 1-9 are either overweight or obese. Ironically, research has shown that children with low birth weight or stunting due to inadequate food in early life are at particular risk of becoming overweight or obese and developing diabetes and hypertension in later life. "Consequently, prevention efforts need to start as early as possible: in childhood, and even in pregnancy to prevent babies being born weighing too little or for children to become stunted," urged Dr Steyn.