More than half of women in Kiambu County are obese or overweight, according to a report by the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey.

The survey indicates that 55.6% of women aged between 20-49 years in the central Kenya county fall into these categories, while men stand at 28%.

The high consumption of sweet beverages and unhealthy foods by residents is attributed to these figures. The data was gathered from a sample size of 13,000 men and 15,000 women.

Dr. Macdonald Obudho, Kenya National Bureau of Statistics Director-General, emphasized the need for policymakers to allocate sufficient resources to address the nutrition challenge in Kiambu County.

“It (Kiambu County) is struggling with nutrition and thus the need for policymakers to allocate enough resources to address the challenge,” Dr. Obudho said.

The report also revealed that over 25% of children under five years old are experiencing stunted growth, underweight, or thinness, prompting the county to implement intervention measures.

Dr. Hillary Kago, Kiambu County Director of Health, mentioned plans for sensitization messages targeting women to promote a healthy lifestyle, including exercise and a balanced diet.

“We will implement awareness campaigns aimed at women, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, particularly by engaging in regular exercises, steering clear of sugary drinks, and adopting a nutritious diet,” Dr. Kigo said.

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Regarding issues of stunted growth, underweight, and thinness in children, Dr. Kigo mentioned the successful implementation of a school feeding program across all Early Childhood and Development Education (ECDE) Centers in the county.