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In many African cultures, the size of a man's belly was once the size of his fortune — or at least, that’s what people believed. Being large was a compliment, a badge of arrival in a hard world where food scarcity haunted generations. A big belly whispered success, and for many, it still does.
In Kenya, you’ll still hear terms like Mkubwa and Boss used to praise prominent, overweight figures — particularly in politics. But while that perception may boost egos, it’s quietly killing thousands every year.
Kenya’s health paradox is stark. One-third of the population struggles to meet basic food needs, yet obesity is climbing at an alarming rate. Thirteen percent of adults are now classified as obese. And the diseases that come with it — diabetes, hypertension, strokes — have become Kenya’s leading cause of death.
How did we get here? Urban life plays a part. As people move to cities and earn more, they’re consuming more fast food, more processed snacks, and fewer fresh meals. Combine that with sedentary office jobs and a lack of public exercise spaces, and the result is a growing body burden the country can’t afford.
Weight isn’t just about health — it’s tangled up in politics, pride, and perception. When Kenyan president William Ruto lost weight in 2023, rumors swirled online. Was he sick? Was something wrong? He publicly clarified: the job ahead was demanding, and being fit was a deliberate choice.
Others followed suit. Cleophas Malala, a former senator, shared how painful a long flight had become due to his size. He took on a 90-day liquid diet challenge. His before-and-after photos speak volumes, but not everyone was supportive. Fellow politicians criticized him — losing weight, it seems, was viewed as leaving the “big men’s club.”
This mindset isn’t unique to Kenya. In Uganda, microfinance institutions have reportedly favored loan applicants with larger physiques, assuming they’re more financially stable. It’s an outdated logic, but one that still shapes decisions.
Public health experts across the continent are sounding alarms. The World Health Organization has labeled Africa’s growing obesity problem a “ticking time bomb.” With one of the youngest populations on Earth, Africa cannot afford to stumble into a future where being unhealthy is still mistaken for being successful.
Nutritionists like Felix Okoth in Nairobi are pushing back. He sees it all the time: people believing that success must be visible — and in Africa, visibility often means volume. But as he warns, “Looking like money” today might cost you your life tomorrow.
The change is starting, slowly. Some leaders and influencers are reshaping the conversation. Organizations like Project ECHO are working with healthcare workers to break the myth that size equals status. Campaigns are emerging, focusing on healthy living, balanced diets, and exercise — not just for the wealthy, but for everyone.
And ordinary people are also rejecting shortcuts. Take Caroline Havi, who tried Ozempic but switched to a one-meal-a-day regimen. Her goal? To lose 35 kilograms — not for vanity, but to live without fear.
Even in South Africa, where 32 percent of adults are now obese, the narrative is shifting. The death toll from obesity-linked diseases has surpassed that of HIV. That’s no longer just a health issue — it’s a national emergency.
Africa must now confront an uncomfortable truth: cultural ideals that once offered pride are becoming a pathway to disease. Weight, once a symbol of wealth, is now a warning sign.
If Africa is to build a future where its youth thrive, then health — not heaviness — must become the new measure of success. This isn’t just about food or exercise. It’s about rewriting an inherited script. A new narrative must rise: one where prosperity is measured not by inches but by impact, energy, and longevity.
The belly is no longer a badge. It’s a burden — and one that Africa can’t afford to carry much longer.
1 comment
guest
7mo ago
I love the delivery of the article. The choice of the words is very meticulous.