In Nigeria, between 6% and 8% of Nigerians are obese. For years, this country worried about the extreme problems with malnutrition and HIV. It is now a known fact that malnutrition and obesity both exist in this country, as well as in most of Africa.

Being fat in Nigeria has always been a sign of wealth. People with AIDS were nicknamed “slim”, because the disease makes them so thin. The belief is that if one is fat, then it is a sign one must not suffer from HIV/AIDS. Because of the belief, they do not want to lose weight. This would be seen as a weakness to them. The obesity problem is causing an increase in the number of people being diagnosed with diabetes along with many other life threatening diseases.

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Nigeria is just one African country suffering with the problem of obesity that is becoming a global epidemic for much of the world.
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Obesity: Nigeria

Many governments and industries are contributing to the growth in obesity by flooding developing countries with cheap sweeteners, oils, and meat while doing nothing to promote the consumption of fruits and vegetables.
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