The Department of Consumer Sciences Food and Nutrition at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), in collaboration with the National Department of Health and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) commemorated World Obesity Day (WOD) themed: “Changing Systems, Healthier Lives.” This prestigious event was held at the DUT Ritson campus exam hall in Durban on Monday, 10 March 2025.
Championing healthy eating were the two programme directors Ms Simphiwe Naidoo, a Fix My Food youth advocate and Ms Zikhona Mpyana from the National Department of Health.
Prior to the official programme there were health screening services and food systems and health promotion exhibitions to encourage the attendees to join the fight against the global and national obesity crisis. The guests also participated in a fun physical activity titled “Move where you are” which was aimed at teaching people the sit down exercises.
Delivering the welcome remarks was the Executive Dean: Faculty of Health Sciences at DUT, Professor Gugu Mchunu. She began by asking, “Why do we eat the way we do?”
“If you think of the type of food that we eat, is it really the matter of personal choice?
Is it shaped by systems or cultures and the environment in which we live in? I would like to guess that it is the combination of all the systems. Our heart is manipulated, not only by nature but by the industries, the policies and environments that shape our access to food,” said Prof Mchunu.
She indicated that obesity was not a personal health issue but a societal issue as it is the leading driver of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, stroke, immune cancer, and diabetes, which remain amongst the most pressing health concerns in South Africa and globally. Prof Mchunu urged people to move beyond blaming individuals for their health and instead focus on transferring the systems that determine the food accessibility, nutrition and well-being. She believes transforming food systems is a collective responsibility, requesting the guests to drive real change by working together for healthier lives, one system at a time.
Sharing tips and ideas on bringing healthier food into the student diet was Dr Evonne Singh from the Department of Consumer Sciences, Food and Nutrition. She conducted an insightful presentation, demonstrating healthy food options for students.
Dr Singh shared the obesity statistics, revealing that globally 1.9 billion people are obese, saying one in four people will be living with obesity in the year 2035.
“This places an extreme strain on the economy. It places a strain on the people as well as our resources. A unified approach is called for, that means a whole of government, a whole of society approach. So, that includes all of us,” said Dr Singh.
She encouraged people to follow the food based dietary guidelines to make healthy changes and consumption behaviour. She encouraged regular consumption of plant based protein, consumption of animal sources of protein such as eggs, fish, lean meats, chicken without the skin, and low fat consumption of dairy products, together with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Dr Singh also cautioned against regular consumption of sugary drinks and sugary breakfast cereals while advocating for packed lunches as opposed to eating junk food.
Fix My Food advocates, Siphosethu Nase, a DUT student and Ms Ayanda Ngcobo from the Mangosuthu University of Tecnhology gave an overview of the South African food environment. They urged the youth to join their movement of asking government to regulate the marketing of unhealthy food. To students, the advocates believe its not too late to fix their food and make the right food choices for a healthy life.
UNICEF’s Nutrition Manager, Mr Gilbert Tshitaudzi chaired a panel discussion to explore food systems, nutritious eating and obesity. The panellists consisted of Ms Portia Ndlanzi, a student from the Department of Consumer Sciences, Food and Nutrition at DUT, Professor Ashika Naicker, also from the DUT Department of Consumer Sciences, Food and Nutrition. Joining in the conversations were also Lusaso Mtshali, a youth advocate and Director of Nutrition at the National Department of Health, Ms Rebone Tsie. The audience was fascinated by the robust discussion and shared their questions and reflections.
Dr Joseph Mwangi from World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNCEF’s Mr Irfan Akhtar shared their reflections and efforts in curbing obesity. They commended all the partners for the well organised event and their commitment in promoting healthier lives.
Delivering the keynote address was the Deputy Director General of Health Programmes at the National Department of Health, Mr Ramphelane Morewane. He was standing in for the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Mathume Phaahla.
“We need to advocate for healthier food environment. We need to say to everyone, let’s go home and have some gardens in our backyard. It’s not cool to just eat from the restaurant,” said Mr Morewane encouraging healthy eating.
Addressing students’ concern about relying on campus food courts that usually sell junk food, Mr Morewane urged the students to come together and raise their concerns with those giving out food courts licences to monitor those stalls and to ensure that they provide healthy food. He encouraged the students to aim to reach the age of 50 years not obese as there are little chances that they might gain the weight after that thus standing a chance to live longer.
In closing the Executive Dean in the Faculty of Applied Sciences at DUT, Professor Suren Singh commended the Department of Consumer Sciences Food and Nutrition for being the driving force in promoting healthy food and curbing obesity on campus. He thanked all the partners and guests for their attendance and commitment to making the event a huge success.
Pictured: DUT students excited after attending the World Obesity Day event.
Photographer: S’bonelo Dlamini
Simangele Zuma
