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Amarachi Okeh
The Endocrine and Metabolism Society of Nigeria has alerted Nigerians to the increasing incidence of obesity, noting that the health condition is fast becoming an epidemic in the country.
The society, which is affiliated with the International Society of Endocrinology, stated this in a communique issued at the end of its 43rd Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference held in Lagos recently.
In the communique signed by the President, Prof. Olufemi Fasanmade and Secretary General, Prof Andrew Uloko, the society revealed that obesity is now prevalent among the paediatric group and not just among the affluent, stressing that its prevalence now cuts across all socio-economic strata.
The endocrinologists in the communique stressed that wrong diet choices, especially the replacement of home-cooked food with fast food and processed food will see obesity and related disorders reach epidemic proportions in the not-too-distant future.
The endocrinologists in the communique said, “The increasing prevalence of obesity is impacting negatively on the health of the populace.
“The drivers of obesity are globalisation and urbanisation which affects our food culture and consumption habits which lead to energy imbalance.”
The society reiterated that diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases are the grave consequences of obesity, adding that in Nigeria, this is further exacerbated by the grossly limited and inadequate access to endocrinology healthcare services.
The society noted that the number of endocrinologists produced has been on a decline because of the brain drain in the health sector, adding that this is further complicated by the emigration of a few endocrinologists to other foreign countries.
The endocrinologists lamented that the cost of accessing care is now remarkably high, unaffordable, and prohibitive to many persons and families of people with endocrine and metabolic-related issues as healthcare financing remains largely out-of-pocket.
The society face urged the National Health Insurance Authority to improve the scope of endocrine and metabolic care given to Nigerians.
The society also reiterated its commitment to continue using advocacy as a major stakeholder, to shape the policy for endocrine and metabolic health, especially among children and adults in the country.
They called on both governmental and non-governmental organisations to increase funding for research in the field of endocrinology to improve endocrine and metabolic health in Nigeria.
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