On this week’s Health for Mzansi podcast episode, Dr Chantell Witten unpacks child obesity in South Africa.

Dr Witten strongly advocates for the teaching of good nutrition education and literacy so that communities and parents will understand the importance of sound infant feeding practices (breastfeeding), the dangers of formula feeding and correct diet planning for the child.

The cost in childhood ultimately becomes the cost in adulthood, with about 68% of women being obese in South Africa, explains Dr Witten.

To crack the nut of obesity, Dr Witten suggests a holistic approach which includes:

-Nutrition education

-Increase in breastfeeding rates

-Practice good dietary habits (age-appropriate portion size meals)

-Doing away with adding additional calories (like mayonnaise, salad dressings and other

sauces)

-Drinking water

-Less screen time and more physical activity