As the holiday season approaches, many would want to give into the temptation of indulging in unhealthy lifestyles, thereby leading to the increasing rate of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). There is a high demand and taste for ultra-processed foods high in sugar, salt, trans-fat, and carbonated/fizzy drinks during this period, especially during family celebrations and social events.
Unhealthy lifestyles coupled with physical inactivity, tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and poor diets have proven to be the major modifiable risk factors for NCDs like obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cancers, and cardiovascular diseases, which hinder progress towards the attainment of SDG 3.4 targeted at reducing premature NCD mortality by one-third by 2030 through prevention, treatment, and mental health promotion. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development highlights noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) as a critical challenge to global development due to their significant economic threat, potentially undermining efforts to reduce poverty, inequality, and hunger, and improve education and gender equality.
Globally, diets have become richer in sugar, salt, fat, and other harmful additives, while physical activity has declined. This shift has led to an increase in obesity rates particularly among young people and women. The 2023 Ghana Demographic Health Survey found that among children under age 5, 18% are stunted (short for their age), 6% are wasted (thin for their height), 12% are underweight (light for their age) and 2% are overweight due to unhealthy food consumption that is high in sugar, salt, and fat.
People intentionally budget a portion of their monthly earnings for frivolous spending during the festive season. The public should be advised not to spend impulsively on unhealthy cravings as this could lead to NCDs and socioeconomic burdens. Priority must be given to adopting healthy lifestyles to avoid the risk of NCDs and huge spending on healthcare as a result. The poor and vulnerable groups tend to suffer the most from unhealthy lifestyles after the season because it further plunges them into poverty due to spending a chunk of their low income on costly medications and treatment. Acting on the nudge and letting our guard down on dietary choices during this festive season, will only affect our health by increasing the risk of NCDs, hence it is imperative to make wise decisions that will safeguard our health. Around the same period, manufacturers of these unhealthy commodities leverage promotions to increase sales and maximize profits at the expense of public health therefore, consumers should be vigilant and not fall for such gimmicks.
Parents also have a crucial role to play during the festive season by ensuring the health and well-being of their children are protected. They should avoid unhealthy feeding practices for infants and young children, which can lead to unhealthy weight gain and replace nutritious foods. Incorporating fruits and vegetables in children’s diets this festive season will help improve their health and well-being, and enhance cognitive development. It will also help parents avoid huge spending on treatment and medications after the season, due to NCDs. When children crave sugary drinks, opt for fruit juices instead as a healthier alternative and water to keep them hydrated.
It is during this season that many fun and exciting programs spring up to attract the participation of children and youth and expose them to the use of tobacco, alcohol, and emerging nicotine products like shisha and vapes due to high demand and consumption. Celebrities should desist from publicly indulging in such harmful acts at these events to serve as good role models. Reduce the burden of NCDs and catastrophic healthcare expenditures which cause financial burden during and after the season by not giving in to the temptation of spending exorbitantly on these harmful products considering how expensive they are due to tax increments.
To address the challenge of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) during and after the season, the Ghana NCD Alliance in solidarity with all CSOs suggests increased public awareness of the risk factors for NCDs and health education, strengthening of early detection and management of NCDs, and strengthening and enforcement of stringent legislations to support NCD prevention and control, and implementing taxes and policies that raise the price of unhealthy, harmful, non-essential, and non-nutritious foods to improve population health.
As we observe the festive season, let us all be mindful of our health by adopting healthy lifestyles to reduce the burden of NCDs for a healthier and safer society where we can thrive and live life in all its fullness
Labram Musah
National Coordinator
Ghana NCD Alliance
0243211854
For media inquiries, kindly contact:
Rhoda Mingle
Communication Officer
Ghana NCD Alliance
0241136371
For Immediate Release
November, 22, 2024