February: National Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Month in Gauteng

With February marking National Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Month, the spotlight shines on the pressing issue of obesity and its direct correlation with a surge in Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and heart disease. In the urban province of Gauteng, these health concerns have reached alarming rates.

The Obesity Crisis

Recent data from the Gauteng Department of Health paints a worrying picture: approximately 50% of adults in the province carry excess weight, with a significant breakdown showing 23% categorized as overweight and 27% recognized as obese. This trend is especially distressing given the urban lifestyle prevalent in Gauteng, where long working hours and sedentary routines have become the norm.

Kealeboga Mohajane, spokesperson for the department, highlighted that many residents are experiencing an increase in chronic illnesses linked to these lifestyles. The combination of limited physical activity and a diet rich in processed foods, compounded by the consumption of alcohol and tobacco, leads to a heightened risk of health issues.

The Rise of Hypertension and Diabetes

The statistics regarding hypertension in Gauteng are staggering. In the past year alone, over 67,000 new cases were identified, with more than 25,000 among adults aged 18 to 44, a category traditionally less affected by high blood pressure. This shift signals a troubling trend of young adults facing conditions that were once deemed primarily associated with older populations.

Diabetes also looms large, with a reported prevalence of around 12% across the province. While 67% of diagnosed patients are receiving treatment—exceeding the provincial goal of 65%—the reality remains that many individuals are undiagnosed, potentially facing severe complications such as stroke, heart disease, kidney failure, blindness, and amputations.

Early Detection and Community Action

The Ward-Based Outreach Teams have played an instrumental role in this landscape, screening over 8.7 million adults across Gauteng to facilitate early detection and timely referrals. Interventions like these are crucial as they empower individuals to take charge of their health before serious issues arise.

Mohajane’s statistics reveal a stark reality: the prevalence of hypertension among men has surged from 29% to 49%, while among women, it has increased from 34% to 51%. Such trends underline the urgency for systemic and community-led changes to counteract these health challenges.

Urging Community Participation

In light of these trends, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, Gauteng’s MEC for Health and Wellness, has launched the #AsibeHealthyGP campaign. She emphasizes the importance of collective responsibility in tackling the rising tide of preventable chronic illnesses. Her call to action encourages all residents, particularly those in the West Rand area, to participate in Wellness Wednesdays, dedicating time each week to physical activity.

Nkomo-Ralehoko also advocates for workplaces to foster an environment conducive to health—encouraging employees to engage in regular exercise. The World Health Organisation recommends adults undertake at least two and a half hours of moderate-intensity activity weekly, a guideline that can often feel overwhelming amidst busy schedules.

Sustaining a Healthy Lifestyle

To combat the threat of NCDs, Mohajane advises maintaining a healthy weight through balanced nutrition, regular exercise, and lifestyle modifications including reducing alcohol intake, avoiding tobacco use, and ensuring routine health screenings. These practices, while sometimes challenging to implement, serve as the most effective deterrents against the emergence of chronic diseases.

In Gauteng, as awareness grows around the critical link between lifestyle choices and health outcomes, residents are urged to take meaningful steps toward improving their well-being—one small change at a time.