WOD 2025: Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS)

WOD 2025 was commemorated by the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (CBCHS) with a range of activities carried out during World Obesity Week, 3 - 8 March 2025.

The NCD Prevention and Control Program of the CBC Health Services was established in the year 2016 in response to the rising burden of NCDs amongst CBC Health Services staff as well as patients and caregivers following a situational analysis carried out in the year 2014 that revealed that over 70% of patients and caregivers visiting CBC health facilities suffered from an NCD, some of whom were not even aware of their health status. The NCD Prevention and Control Program operate via two major approaches:

• Know Your Numbers (KYN) Approach
• Diabetes, Hypertension and Obesity (D, H&O) Unit Approach

World Obesity Day (WOD) Commemoration

WOD 2025 was commemorated in all 19 NCD program health facilities with a range of activities that included awareness education campaigns on social media, in health facilities, at schools and social gatherings on the theme "Changing Systems, Healthier Lives". Talks were given on a radio programme and a panel discussion on obesity was held. A health walk was carried out along the streets of CBC Central Administration, as well as aerobics, and gala games to encourage exercise. With financial assistance in the form of a SEED grant, equipment was purchased and shared to some facilities to facilitate screening of body mass index, waist circumference and blood pressure and sugar levels where feasible. T-shirts were also printed and shared for visibility of the activity.

You can read all the detail and view photographs of CBCHS’s activities in their comprehensive report.

Obesity like every other NCD is a silent killer that has been greatly neglected especially in some African communities where obesity is regarded as a sign of prosperity. Unfortunately, many people have been inadvertently suffering and dying of obesity-related diseases, requiring urgent interventions to prevent and control obesity.

There is therefore a great need for intensified awareness-raising, screening, and clinical management for obesity. Multi-sectorial collaboration promotions for healthy lifestyle choices as well as health-seeking behaviours are crucial for effective prevention and control of obesity.