A recent survey conducted worldwide, showed the South Africa is ranked number three in the world as being an obese nation.

To make matters worse, 61 percent of South Africans are overweight according to a new survey conducted by Glaxo Smith Kline. Cape Town was ranked as having the highest percentage of people who were obese, followed by Pretoria. Glaxo Smith Kline conducted the survey amongst 500 people throughout SA. Other interesting results from the survey found that 47 percent of people felt the government should play a more active role in fighting obesity.

The Chinese government has implemented a plan to fight the ever increasing obesity rates in China. They have reintroduced Calisthenics to all workers in the country. The Beijing Federation of Trade Unions wants the routine to be mandatory for all state-owned companies. Do you think such an approach in South Africa would be a good start to fight obesity, especially since 49 percent of South Africans don't exercise?

Also 65 percent of South Africans have the perception that healthy food is expensive. Fruits and vegetables and grains are not expensive, especially if you grow your own vegetables. Unfortunately convenience food seems more affordable, even though it contains ingredients with a poor nutritional content. To fight the obesity battle in South Africa, it is the onus of every single one of use to make an effort to improve our lifestyles