Nearly half of Kenyan women aged 20 to 49 are overweight or obese, Health Ministry warns
Nearly half of Kenyan women aged 20 to 49 are overweight or obese, Health Ministry warns
The Ministry of Health has raised concerns over Kenya’s rising obesity rates, revealing that nearly half of women aged between 20 and 49 are overweight or obese, a trend linked to poor diet and lifestyle habits.
Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said the situation is worrying, noting that it is weakening women’s productivity and economic contribution.
“About 45 per cent of women aged 20 to 49 are overweight or obese,” she said during a sensitisation programme on Weru TV.
To address the growing challenge, Muthoni said the government has rolled out the Kenya Nutrient Profile Model, a tool designed to classify and regulate foods based on their nutrient content.
Kenyan Sports Gear
She explained that the model is part of a wider strategy to reduce non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as obesity, which account for 39 per cent of deaths in the country.
She also highlighted a decline in exclusive breastfeeding among mothers of infants aged zero to 6 months, saying the rate had dropped from 61 to 60 per cent. Over the same period, bottle-feeding increased sharply from 22 to 34 per cent. According to her, this trend could undermine healthy child growth and development.
Dispelling common myths, Muthoni urged women, especially teenage mothers, to embrace breastfeeding, stressing that it does not cause premature ageing. She further noted that the rise in teenage pregnancies in Meru remains a significant health and education concern.
Globally, efforts to curb obesity have been gaining momentum. On September 25, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (UNIATF) honoured 12 countries and seven non-State actors for spearheading innovative approaches to tackle obesity.
The recognition came during the 2025 UNIATF Awards, held at the Tenth Annual Meeting of the Friends of the Task Force on Accelerating Action on Obesity Prevention and Management. The meeting, convened by WHO in collaboration with the Government of Egypt and UNIATF, coincided with the opening week of the Eightieth Session of the United Nations General Assembly and the Fourth High-Level Meeting on NCDs.
The organisations celebrated governments and civil society groups that had implemented bold measures, ranging from fiscal policies such as sugar taxes to digital innovations and school meal programmes.
Government breaks silence following protests outside Raila’s home
Lawyers defend Kenyan accused of trafficking recruits to Russia
Autopsy reveals what killed Kenyan police officer in Hait
Ruto responds to reports of deal with US to allow deportation of illegal immigrants to Kenya
DCI detectives arrest four police officers involved in illegal firearms trade
WHO Assistant Director General for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and Control, Dr Jeremy Farrar, highlighted the urgency of the crisis, saying obesity remains largely preventable, yet millions continue to live in environments that promote unhealthy habits.
“Obesity is largely preventable. Yet millions of people around the world face environments that make it easier to gain weight and harder to stay healthy,” he said.
“These champions demonstrate that progress is possible, and their leadership inspires collective action to stop obesity worldwide.”
Obesity rates have more than doubled globally in the last three decades, with one in eight people now living with the condition. WHO says the rise has fuelled an increase in cases of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and other non-communicable illnesses.
The organisation has responded with its Acceleration Plan to Stop Obesity, which provides governments with a roadmap for action built on five key pillars. These include scaling up proven and cost-effective interventions, ensuring delivery for real-world impact, driving global advocacy, broadening partnerships and strengthening accountability at all levels.
The global health body has also reinforced its long-standing commitment to supporting countries in their fight against obesity, noting that its Global Nutrition Targets aim to halt the rise of childhood overweight, while the global NCD goal seeks to stop the increase in diabetes and obesity by 2025.
High Court dismisses petition on JSC bias in judge promotions
Police break up ring trafficking Kenyans to fight for Russia in Ukraine
Ruto improved Linda Mama – DP Kindiki hits back at Uhuru Kenyatta
Ruto responds to claims of sponsoring Sudan’s RSF militia
Mike Sonko receives honorary doctorate, international awards in London
Follow us
