WOD 2025: Zambia Heart and Stroke Foundation
On 17 March 2025, the Zambia Heart and Stroke Foundation (ZAHEFSO) commemorated World Obesity Day 2025 and hosted a policy dialogue at Protea Towers Hotel in Lusaka to address Zambia's growing obesity epidemic.
Aligned with the 2025 World Obesity Day theme, 'Changing Systems - Healthier Lives', the event brought together policymakers, healthcare professionals, civil society, and individuals living with obesity.
Key discussions focused on obesity prevention, gaps in current policies, and actionable recommendations, including fostering collaboration, promoting healthy diets, and improving infrastructure. The dialogue underscored the urgent need for systemic changes to combat obesity and advance public health in Zambia.
Introduction
World Obesity Day, commemorated annually on March 4, aims to reshape perspectives on obesity, eliminate stigma and misconceptions, and enhance public understanding of this critical health issue. Reflecting the 2025 theme, 'Changing Systems - Healthier Lives', the Zambia Heart and Stroke Foundation (ZAHEFSO) hosted a policy dialogue on March 17, 2025. This event was held later than the global observance date due to scheduling commitments among policymakers and stakeholders, yet maintained the same thematic focus to address Zambia's obesity epidemic.
The Zambia Heart and Stroke Foundation (ZAHEFSO) stands at the frontier of the fight against cardiovascular diseases and related health challenges in Zambia. Dedicated to fostering healthier communities, the foundation actively raises awareness, advocates for preventive measures, and promotes sustainable lifestyle changes. One of its signature initiatives, the 'Heart Heroes' campaign, empowers school children with knowledge about rheumatic heart disease while highlighting the dangers of tobacco and alcohol consumption.
Recognising the growing prevalence of obesity in Zambia, ZAHEFSO has sounded the alarm on this pressing issue, emphasising the critical need for comprehensive preventive strategies and healthier living practices. Demonstrating its commitment to this cause, the foundation, with the support of the World Obesity Federation, conducted a policy dialogue to mark Zambia’s inaugural celebration of World Obesity Day. This landmark event, which was held at the Protea Towers Hotel in Lusaka under the theme 'Changing Systems: Healthier Lives', underscored the foundation's pivotal role in shaping a healthier future for all Zambians.
The policy dialogue involved persons living with obesity, representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education; the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development; the Ministry of Infrastructure and Urban Development; and the Ministry of Community Development. Doctors, psychologists, and members of civil society also took part in the policy dialogue.
Context and Rationale
Zambia is experiencing an increase in obesity rates driven by urbanisation, shifts in dietary patterns, reduced physical activity, and limited awareness of healthy lifestyle practices. Obesity is a major risk factor for numerous NCDs, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and hypertension, straining the healthcare system and impacting the well-being of communities.
In Zambia, obesity is becoming an increasing concern. According to available data:
- Approximately 14.7% of adult women and 4.4% of adult men in Zambia are living with obesity.
- Among children under the age of 5, the prevalence of overweight is 5.2%, and Zambia is currently on course to prevent this figure from rising.
Current Policies and Initiatives
The Zambia National Health Strategic Plan 2022 – 2026 indicates that obesity is a significant concern for the population, especially among children and women. This condition contributes to a heightened prevalence on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and is primarily linked to growing preference for fast foods and unhealthy lifestyle choices, both of which are modifiable factors.
Gaps and Challenges
While strides have been made, significant challenges remain, including:
- Limited enforcement of existing policies.
- Insufficient public awareness of the risks associated with obesity.
- Accessibility issues regarding affordable healthy food options.
- Resource constraints in implementing large-scale interventions.
- Lack of coordinated efforts among stakeholders.
Purpose and objectives of the policy dialogue activity
The policy dialogue aimed to:
- Create a platform for stakeholders to engage in discussions on obesity prevention and control.
- Raise awareness of the growing obesity epidemic in Zambia and its health consequences.
- Examine existing policies and initiatives and assess their effectiveness in addressing obesity.
- Identify gaps, challenges, and opportunities for improvement in obesity prevention efforts.
- Develop actionable recommendations to support systemic changes for healthier communities
Key Recommendations
To address the rising obesity challenge in Zambia, a multi-pronged approach involving policies, public health initiatives, and community engagement is essential. Here are some strategies and policy recommendations to tackle obesity effectively:
Food regulation: Enforce policies to regulate the marketing and labeling of unhealthy foods, particularly those targeted at children. Introduce sugar taxes to discourage the consumption of sugary beverages and processed foods.
Healthy school meals: Implement programmes to provide nutritious, balanced meals in schools and incorporate nutrition education into the curriculum.
School Curricula: Incorporate obesity awareness into curricula for primary and secondary school learners as well as teacher training.
Urban planning: Develop policies that encourage physical activity by creating safe, accessible spaces such as parks, pedestrian pathways, and exercise facilities.
Public awareness campaigns: Educate communities about the risks of obesity and the importance of healthy eating and regular exercise through media campaigns and local workshops.
Behavioural change programmes: Promote lifestyle interventions such as group fitness activities, cooking classes, and peer-support programs for sustained healthy habits.
Community gardens: Establish initiatives that encourage urban and rural communities to grow fresh, healthy produce.
Early screening: Integrate obesity screening in routine healthcare services to identify and address the condition early.
Training for healthcare providers: Equip healthcare professionals with skills to counsel patients on nutrition, physical activity, and weight management.
Accessible treatment options: Subsidise treatment programs for obesity, including dietary counseling, therapy, and, where necessary, medical interventions.
Stakeholder engagement: Foster collaboration between government agencies, non-governmental organisations, the private sector, and international partners to pool resources and expertise.
Research and data collection: Invest in research to better understand obesity trends and to monitor the impact of implemented strategies.
Policy evaluation: Regularly review and assess the effectiveness of obesity-related policies to ensure they align with current needs and global best practices.
Community participation: Encourage communities to play a role in monitoring local initiatives and holding policymakers accountable.
'Changing Systems' - Ministry-specific action points:
Invest in medical equipment that accommodates individuals of all sizes. That includes beds in the wards and theatres; wheel chairs; BP Cuffs; invest in ultra-violet vein finders. It was also recommended that MRI machines that can accommodate plus-size individuals be taken into account in public health facilities.
Collaborate with other ministries and government agencies to promote the cultivation and consumption of nutritious local foods.
Encourage aerobics and physical exercise programs in schools and workplaces.
Ensure all health facilities have designated information desks on obesity, staffed with trained personnel to deliver accurate and effective guidance.
Ensure desks and seating arrangements in schools are inclusive and accommodate students of all sizes, including those living with obesity.
Address bullying and stigma targeted at students living with obesity through anti-bullying initiatives.
Sensitise learners and teachers about obesity and foster a culture of inclusivity where children are encouraged to embrace and accommodate people of all sizes.
Promote and support farming communities in producing organic and nutritious foods to reduce dependency on unhealthy alternatives.
Design and construct roads and buildings to be inclusive and accessible to all individuals, regardless of size or physical ability.
Integrate pathways for pedestrians and cyclists into road infrastructure, drawing inspiration from Chipata, Eastern Province, and Rwanda.
Enforce stricter standards for imported food products and impose restrictions on the quantities of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) foods entering the country.
Mandate that all food items include clear labeling to inform consumers about the contents and nutritional information of the products they purchase.
Introduce aerobics programs to encourage physical activity across all levels of government and institutional settings.
Conclusion
The policy dialogue hosted by the Zambia Heart and Stroke Foundation (ZAHEFSO) on 17 March 2025, under the theme 'Changing Systems - Healthier Lives', served as a pivotal moment in addressing the obesity epidemic in Zambia. Bringing together diverse stakeholders, including government representatives, healthcare professionals, civil society members, and individuals living with disabilities, the dialogue fostered meaningful discussions on the challenges, gaps, and opportunities in obesity prevention and control. It successfully highlighted the urgency of the issue and the need for a united, multi-sectoral approach to tackle it.
World Obesity Day
For more information about WOD and to read about WOD activities around the world, visit our dedicated website.
World Obesity Day