World Obesity Day 2026: Nutritionist Urges Nigerians To Return To Indigenous Foods As Obesity Cases Rise
As the global obesity crisis continues to deepen, health experts are warning that many Nigerians are gradually abandoning the very foods that once protected their health.
A registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Mrs Ibejide Onyinyechukwu-Chimaobi, has called on governments at all levels to intensify awareness campaigns on the importance of indigenous foods and regulate advertisements promoting junk and highly processed foods.
Speaking to ABS News at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Specialist Hospital, Nkpor, in Anambra State to mark World Obesity Day, Mrs Onyinyechukwu-Chimaobi described obesity as a complex chronic disease characterised by excessive accumulation of body fat that poses serious health risks.
She explained that several factors contribute to obesity, including lifestyle changes, environmental influences, genetic factors, stress, as well as certain drugs and supplements people consume.
According to her, obesity is a major driver of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, fatty liver disease and diabetes.
Mrs Onyinyechukwu-Chimaobi urged Nigerians to return to natural and locally available foods, stressing that parents should introduce children early to indigenous meals, fruits and vegetables while avoiding carbonated drinks and highly processed foods.
The dietitian, who works at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Specialist Hospital, Nkpor, also lamented that many people are no longer familiar with local foods such as pumpkin and cocoyam, despite their nutritional value.
She further advocated policies that encourage physical activity in workplaces, noting that organisations should support programmes that help employees stay active in order to reduce obesity levels in society.
The theme for World Obesity Day 2026 is “Tackling the Global Obesity Crisis.”
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