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By Henry Owino
Nairobi, Kenya: More than one billion people worldwide are living with obesity, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). In Kenya, health experts say the numbers are steadily rising as urban lifestyles, processed foods, and reduced physical activity reshape how people live and eat.
It is a sedentary lifestyle that is widely contributing to obesity and overweight, though it is not the only factor. Others include biological, behavioral, and environmental influences.
According to estimates from global health research, more than 1 billion people worldwide are living with obesity alone, a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more, which corresponds to roughly one in eight people in the world.
When including both overweight and obesity together, the number of affected people is much higher. Approximately 2.5 billion adults were overweight in 2022, of whom about 890 million were classified as obese, not counting children.
Data from the World Obesity Federation’s prevalence estimates suggest nearly 3 billion people (adults and children) are living with either overweight or obesity globally.
These were sentiments from health experts while commemorating World Obesity Day, at a hotel in Nairobi, Kenya.
This year’s (2026) World Obesity Day focuses on Childhood Obesity. This is specifically owing to the overwhelming number of children being obese or overweight, yet others are malnourished. It is a double burden of disease facing children at a tender age.
The theme for the year 2026 is dubbed “Eight Billion Reasons to Act on Obesity,” reflecting the worldwide impact of obesity and the need for collective solutions.
World Obesity Day is observed on 4 March annually to raise awareness about obesity, to educate people on its health risks, and preventive actions. Again, as of early 2026, the world population is estimated to be approximately eight billion people.
Urban Areas Most Affected
Dr. Nicola Okech, a consultant physician and endocrinologist, said obesity in Kenya is a growing public health concern. She disclosed that recent data shows that a significant proportion of adults are obese or overweight, with women particularly affected, especially in urban areas such as Nairobi and Kiambu counties.
This rise is driven by lifestyle changes, including increased consumption of processed and high-sugar foods, reduced physical activity, and rapid urbanization.
“We are seeing a steady rise in obesity in Kenya, particularly in urban areas, due to lifestyle changes, unhealthy diets, and reduced physical activity,” Dr. Okech said, a consultant physician and endocrinologist. “Beyond aesthetics, obesity significantly increases the risk of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, making prevention and early intervention critical.”
Dr. Okech cautioned that if this current trend continues, it could lead to a surge in related conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and other non-communicable diseases, placing a heavy burden on Kenya’s health system and economy.
On the other hand, Dr. Caroline Mithi, Endocrinologist and Physician, alerted that there will be at least 4 billion people living with obesity or overweight by 2035. Thus, in the next 10 years from now, the world population will be roughly 8–9 billion, which means around 1 in every 2 people may fall into one of these categories.
Dr Mithi disclosed that these projections are based on trends in rising rates of obesity and overweight, driven by factors such as sedentary lifestyles, high-calorie processed foods, urbanization, stress and sleep problems, and genetic and metabolic factors
She further claimed that obesity usually does not occur in isolation. For instance, the physician listed poverty, stigma, unequal access to education & treatment, limited availability of healthy food, and environments that do not support healthy living, among others, all of which contribute to rising causes of obesity.
“Spending long hours sitting at a desk, relying on motorized transport, using elevators instead of staircase or glued to television screens for hours has quietly become one of the biggest threats to modern health,” Dr. Mithi pointed out.
The medical experts warn that a sedentary lifestyle, especially in urban areas marked by little or no physical activity, is fueling a surge in obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases across Kenya and globally.
Combined with unhealthy diets rich in sugar, salt, and fats, this trend is putting more people at risk of heart attacks and early death.
Preventive Actions
According to Dr. Dan Gikonyo, Cardiologist at Karen hospital Nairobi, obesity significantly increases the risk of several non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and Cardiovascular Disease. These conditions are becoming increasingly common in Kenya and place a growing burden on the country’s healthcare system.
Dr. Gikonyo advised that there is a need for public health advocacy to create awareness and prevention as the most effective solution. For example, encouraging regular exercise, promoting balanced and healthy diets, and creating environments that support active lifestyles are key steps toward reversing the trend.
Dr. Gikonyo also stressed the importance of early screening and routine medical check-ups to identify weight-related risks before they develop into more serious illnesses.
He said obesity and related NCDs are currently most common among office workers, drivers, students, and people who spend most of their day seated or reclining while using digital devices.
“Physical inactivity is the new smoking; it is silently damaging hearts and shortening lives,” Dr. Gikonyo emphasized.
“The good news is that breaking free from this routine doesn’t require expensive gym memberships. Just small consistent actions like walking, stretching, avoiding prolonged sitting or low physical activity, and eating properly can greatly improve your heart and overall well-being,” Dr. Gikonyo advised.
Dr. Gikonyo clarified that becoming more active doesn’t mean running marathons; it is about integrating movement into your daily routine. He listed simple ways to stay active, such as:
- Take 10-minute walking breaks every hour at work.
- Use the stairs instead of elevators to get to the offices.
- Walk or cycle short distances instead of driving or using motorized transport.
- Join community fitness groups or morning and evening jogs.
- Engage in home-based exercises like stretching or dancing.
- Eat more traditional foodstuffs instead of highly processed fast-moving foods.
Confronting obesity or overweight is not just an individual issue; it is shaped by the systems people live in. Therefore, urbanisation, economic status, and food marketing strategies, for example, play a role along with more personal choice factors.
