By Ebele Egoh
The global obesity epidemic is a ticking time bomb, and Nigeria, is not immune. As the world marks World Obesity Day 2026, experts are sounding the alarm on the need for collective action to combat this growing health crisis.
In an interview with Dr Terry Okeke, a medical practitioner and Public Affairs Commentator, State Hospitals’ Management Board, Awka, he defined obesity as an abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat that presents a significant risk to health.
He said It is crucial to distinguish it from simply being overweight. While both terms refer to a weight higher than what is considered healthy for a given height, obesity is a more severe state of excess weight.
The most practical screening tool he said is the Body Mass Index (BMI), calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters (kg/m²). For adults, a BMI of 25.0 to 29.9 is classified as overweight, while a BMI of 30.0 or higher is classified as obese.
In the annals of public health, few challenges he said have risen as swiftly and silently as the global obesity epidemic. Obesity was once perceived as a sign of prosperity or a problem confined to high-income nations, but is now recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a chronic, relapsing disease that affects every corner of the globe. ‘’Its impact is profound, leading to a host of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) that strain healthcare systems and diminish quality’’.
He observed that the core mission of World Obesity Day is to shift the narrative, move the conversation away from blaming individuals for their weight to toward understanding the systemic, environmental, and biological factors that drive the disease.
Dr Okeke said that the primary sign of obesity is excess body fat. However, the signs and symptoms extend far beyond appearance and can be physical, psychological, and functional.
Physical Signs involves breathlessness on minimal exertion, increased sweating, snoring or sleep apnoea (pauses in breathing during sleep), fatigue, inability to cope with sudden physical activity, and persistent back and joint pains, particularly in the knees and lower back.
Also Psychological Symptoms: Low self-esteem, poor body image, social isolation, and depression are common, often exacerbated by weight stigma in social and even healthcare settings.
Functional Limitations: Difficulty performing everyday tasks, such as walking long distances, climbing stairs, bending to tie shoelaces, etc.
The treatment he said, involves lifestyle interventions which is the cornerstone of management, other treatments are dietary changes: Working with a registered dietitian to adopt a sustainable, culturally appropriate, reduced-calorie diet.
He urged Ndi Anambra to promote traditional foods like ofe nsala (white soup) with plenty of ugu vegetables, achi (Bambara groundnut) porridge, grilled or boiled fish and meat, and locally grown fruits like oranges, pineapples, and mangoes.
“Reducing the intake of “swallow” foods made from refined flour, sugary soft drinks, and fried snacks like akara and chin-chin. Physical Activity of at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week. This can be incorporated into daily life through brisk walking, traditional Igbo dances at social events, recreational sports like football, or community-based exercise groups,’’ he recommended.
As the world observes World Obesity Day 2026 under the theme of “Changing Systems, Healthier Futures,” the call to action is clear and urgent.
For Anambra State, for Nigeria, and for the world, the path forward requires a collective effort that respects cultural contexts, engages community and religious leaders, and implements bold policies.
The fight against obesity is not a battle against the individual, but a collective struggle to redesign our world and build a healthier, more equitable future for everyone.
Ebele is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
