The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, commissioned by the department of health, is a pretty grim picture of SAs

As medical status. Just more than 12 000 people, all aged 15 and older, were physically examined for the survey.

Fat and lazy, but theres hope

Heres the diagnosis: 1 enough
We dont exercise
45.2% unt

So what can we do about it? 2 Were too fat

The rate of obesity increased from 27.4% in 2003 to 40.1% in 2012 Our bellies are getting bigger, which increases our risk of developing metabolic conditions 2003 2012

South Africans are physically unt. Participants were asked to climb up and down stairs to test their tness. Results showed that 27.9% of men and 45.2% of women were unt. The gures are worse in formal urban areas

27.9% unt

27.4%

O B E S I T Y

Visit your GP for a full physical examination assess your general health, including things like your cholesterol and blood sugar levels. He or she will be able to tell you whats right and whats very wrong with your health

40.1%

Start walking or, if theres a swimming pool nearby, hit the water. Both are excellent forms of exercise and you can start slowly if youre scared of overdoing it. Tiny changes to your daily routine will help too at work, take the stairs instead of the lift

3 We eat badly
We love food that adds no value to our wellbeing. The survey showed that 20% of people eat foods high in sugar, 18.3% eat greasy foods and 25.6% hardly eat fruit and vegetables. Instead of choosing food items based on their health benets, South Africans look at the price and how tasty the food is

4 We smoke too much

An average South African smokes about 8.5 cigarettes per day which rises to 13.6 in the Northern Cape. This dangerous habit not only harms smokers lungs, but puts nonsmokers at risk too. The survey shows that 13.5% of adults who have never smoked had been exposed to environmental tobacco smoke South African daily average = 8.5

3
Change your diet. Start eating a balanced meal and dont forget fruits and veggies

25.6% 20%
High in sugar

18.3%
Greasy foods

Hardly eat fruit and vegetables

Northern Cape average

P O T S

Stop smoking. Examine different methods and gure out which will suit you best. If you cant imagine going cold turkey, how about cutting back to start with?

13.6

5 5 We binge drink
Most South Africans dont snack or eat proper meals while drinking. They also binge drink on weekends, holidays or at the end of the month but they dont consider that alcohol abuse. Men are three times more likely (31%) to be doing the drinking than women (9.3%)

31%

6 We are stressed out

A large proportion of South Africans suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of a familyrelated trauma event or personal assault. The survey found that one in 10 participants had PTSD, while a further 41.4% showed signs that they might be experiencing it

Drink less alcohol. When you do indulge, do it moderately and have water between drinks. If you know youre going to have a long drinking session, have a decent meal before you start, or snack in between

41.4%
showed signs of PTSD

9.3%

Dont be afraid to talk about your feelings. You dont have to fork out thousands to a psychologist a religious leader or even somebody you trust can help you off-load your stress. Your doctor, too, could offer some advice about support options
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Compiled by Zinhle Mapumulo Source: SA National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2012