Obesity and overweight in South African primary school children – the Health of the Nation Study

Abstract

Obesity has become a global health problem, affecting more than 1.3 billion adults, in both developed anddeveloping countries.1-4 In South Africa it has been suggested that urbanisation5 is associated with an increased risk of becoming overweight or obese.6,7 Indeed, high levels of obesity have been identified among urbanised South Africans, particularly among black women.