The global and regional projections of overweight and obesity are alarming, with estimates predicting four billion people affected globally by 2035. Populations living in Southern African Development Community (SADC) Member States are not exempt from this problem. All Member States are experiencing increasing trends in overweight and obesity among
children and adolescents, driven by urbanization, a growing youth population and the increasing influence of the unhealthy food and beverage industry. This problem is set to get increasingly and dramatically worse over time, depriving children in SADC of healthy and productive lives, and negatively impacting health systems and whole economies. However, with political will, commitment, and integrated policies, we can halt these trends. The SADC region and its children
are not destined for prolonged unhealthy lives. This is preventable.
To inform a coordinated response, the SADC secretariat conducted a landscape analysis with technical support from UNICEF. Evidence was collated and analyzed to understand prevalence and trends in overweight and obesity across the 16 SADC Member States and multiple drivers of the problem.1 Findings were used to inform the development of the SADC Strategy on Overweight and Obesity Prevention 2024-2030 that highlights the SADC Secretariat’s commitment
to support Member States to implement priority interventions over the next five years. This includes fiscal policies, front-of-package labeling systems, marketing restrictions, food product reformulation, public food procurement for healthy diets, and policies promoting physical activity. This report summarizes the key findings of the study and recommendations related to children and adolescents to inform the actions of Members States for this critical age group.
