Obesity can be deadly – specialist
By Nwabisa Nofemele
IF your waist size is between 80cm and 94cm you are at risk of being obese and may even require surgery, experts warn.
According to the SA Health and Demographic Study, the average life expectancy of a South African has dropped to 60 years as a result of obesity, which was labelled a chronic disease by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in 2000. WHO statistics reveal that in SA 56% of women and 29% of men are overweight. About 10,1% of men and 27,9% of women have a body mass index of more than 30 and 22% of SA‘s children aged one to nine years are obese.
Speaking at the last day of the Obesity Congress at the Feather Market Centre yesterday, Dr Tess van der Merwe, who runs an obesity clinic in Pretoria, said obesity was not a lifestyle flaw, but a chronic disease that could be deadly. Van der Merwe said obesity was a problem for children as much as adults.
“Not only are children in urban areas obese but 15,8% of those in rural areas are also affected.”
“A child between three and five has a 62% chance of being obese if at least one of the parents is obese.This is a complex issue which is influenced by biological and genetic predisposition and physical environment.”
She said obesity caused diabetes, hypertension, gallbladder diseases and sleep apnea – a dangerous condition in which the individual stops breathing during sleep. This can sometimes occur hundreds of times a night.
“There is no tablet that will give you quick results. Over the counter tablets are a waste of time and money. If you are obese you need to go to a doctor and get proper treatment.”
She said recommended treatment surgery, the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and adjustable gastric banding, reduced the size of the stomach to limit the amount of food it can take in.
The challenge, Van Der Merwe said, was that medical aids across the world were not willing to pay for the procedures.
Pretoria has the only centre of Bariatric Excellence in SA where treatment surgery is offered. “We want to open other centres in the country and Port Elizabeth is a top priority.”
She said the centre had to be especially designed for obese patients, with larger doorways, suitable patient rooms, proper equipment and trained staff.
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