08/02/2013
Whilst at a hotel resort at the
weekend, I picked up a newspaper that was written in English. The newspaper is
called The Reporter and it is an Ethiopian paper, printed in English. The copy
I have is dated 26 January 2013.
Whilst flicking through, the above
headline caught my eye. One of the main stereotypes associated with Africa by
the West is hunger and famine. It is easy for people to assume that all
Africans are starving. From what I see in Awassa, there is plenty of food
available here. Whether is it the right type of food and affordable for all is
a different matter; one that can also be discussed to great lengths.
The article I read was written by Dr
Corry Couillard, an international healthcare speaker and columnist, who also
collaborates with the World Health Organization (WHO) on their goals for
disease prevention and global healthcare education. It is safe to say he is a
trusted source.
The gist of the piece is that obesity
is becoming a global problem, one that is overtaking hunger at a great pace. It
brings with it many other costs, not just financial but also medical. Excess
weight can cause cardiovascular issues and diabetes to name just a couple, the
list is endless.
“The
global obesity epidemic is a problem that threatens a lot more than one’s
health. It is a direct threat to the nation’s social, economic and physical
health. Obesity is largely preventable and treatable with the implementation of
sustainable educational programs and improved healthcare policy.”
The key is that we should also educate
on the effects of eating and living an unhealthy lifestyle. For many their
lifestyle revolves around spending little on food and more on other things,
thus eating cheap food which has no value to their body. This, to some extent,
is worse than not eating at all.
As a child, I recall many occasions
where I refused my food, and I was often reminded that ‘there are children in
Africa starving, but you want me to throw this food away’. This statement is
not incorrect, it is the efforts of a mother trying to ensure her child eats
what they need to grow and be healthy. A point in the article states that your
environment as a child greatly affects your relationship to food as an adult,
and your ability to pass on that information in future life. I would agree, as
an adult, I dare not to take more food than I can eat and certainly would feel
disdain if any went to waste. I also consider most meals incomplete if they do not
include nutritious elements, balanced with the tasty things we all know and
love.
What I ponder the most is how the
tables have turned and globally obesity is overtaking hunger as a huge health
problem. Is either issue easy to resolve? Will they ever balance out to allow
for global harmonisation of food levels?
I always resolved to be healthier, eat
well, and exercise more – but as with many people it can be a bit of a fad
rather than a true lifestyle change. If our generation does not stick at it, what
will the future hold for the generations that follow us? The responsibility
must be greatly shared between many areas.
That is your food for thought, excuse
the pun. No doubt the full article I reference can be found online at www.thereporterethiopia.com
Kx
Again, I touch on this enormous
subject very lightly; my intention is to bring matters up for people to take
their own interest in and make their own judgements, rather than to lecture in
depth about them. I am far from being ‘in the know’ of such things, but like to
think that in the right time I can educate myself, and likewise, so can you.
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