Diabetes is now the leading natural cause of death in South Africa, marking a significant shift in the nation’s disease burden. According to Stats SA, diabetes mellitus caused 27,692 deaths in 2023, accounting for 5.8% of all recorded deaths. Cerebrovascular diseases, including strokes, accounted for 5.4% of deaths. Hypertensive diseases caused 5.2% or 25,018 deaths. Tuberculosis and HIV ranked fourth…
Tag: nutrition
-
Child Stunting Risks Threaten South Africa’s 2030 Goals
Children living in poorly serviced informal settlements face severe health threats. Repeated infections caused by unhygienic living conditions are drastically increasing their vulnerability to development issues. The DG Murray Trust has issued an urgent warning to the healthcare sector. South Africa’s national goal to end child stunting by 2030 hangs in the balance. The non-profit organisation stresses that all spheres…
-
Weight Management Spending Reshapes Household Budgets
South Africans are opening their wallets in pursuit of better health. But this is not only about occasional wellness treats. A new pattern is forming in everyday spending. Weight management is moving from a personal goal to a budget line item, according to new findings from Visa and Discovery Bank. The report shows that supplements and vitamins still account for…
-
Child Hunger Worsens Despite Improved National Food Security
A troubling paradox has emerged from South Africa’s latest food security data: while the nation’s overall food security shows signs of recovery, the number of households with children experiencing hunger has significantly increased. This trend casts a dark shadow over the country’s progress and highlights a deepening crisis for its most vulnerable citizens. The SA Food Security Index 2025, which…
-
Childhood Obesity: Addressing Lifestyle Diseases Early
**Focus Keywords:** Childhood obesity South Africa, child health, lifestyle diseases, hypertension in children, SAMRC study, healthy eating for kids A devastating childhood obesity crisis is leading to children, some as young as five, developing severe lifestyle-related diseases. These are typically found in middle-aged adults, a new study from South Africa has revealed. Poor eating habits and a lack of physical…
-
Impact of Food Insecurity on Obesity Rates in South Africa
South Africa has the highest obesity rate in Africa, with half of all adults classified as overweight or obese—68% of women and 38% of men. Shockingly, nearly 70% of obese adults live in food-insecure households, relying on cheap, energy-dense, yet nutrient-poor foods. As the world marked World Obesity Day this week, the Association for Dietetics in South Africa (Adsa) warned…