A landmark international study led by Member of Parliament for Abuakwa South, Dr Kingsley Agyemang, has uncovered a significant shortfall in obesity intervention research across Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
The study, titled “Effectiveness of Obesity Interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses”, was published recently in PLOS ONE, a Q1-ranked, peer-reviewed journal of high impact.
It highlights the urgent need for context-specific public health strategies, warning that although obesity rates across Africa are rising rapidly, the continent lacks sufficient local evidence to drive effective policy and intervention.
Conducted as part of an international collaboration, the research reviewed over 419,000 academic records but identified only seven eligible studies, all originating from South Africa. This startling finding underscores the critical lack of regional data from other Sub-Saharan African countries and signals an urgent call to action for more inclusive research across the continent.
At the forefront of this pioneering effort is Dr Agyemang, whose unique dual role as legislator and academic places him in a strategic position to bridge the gap between research and policymaking in Ghana and beyond. His leadership has been instrumental in drawing national and regional attention to the growing obesity crisis.
“Sub-Saharan Africa is battling an epidemic of obesity, yet we lack the necessary evidence base to guide our policies and interventions,” Dr Agyemang remarked. “We must craft solutions that are context-specific and culturally sensitive to address this crisis head-on.”
The meta-analysis revealed that structured physical activity programmes—particularly those combining aerobic and resistance training—led to a significant reduction of approximately 34% in overweight and obesity rates.
However, these interventions had a statistically insignificant effect on waist circumference, a key marker of abdominal obesity.
Given the narrow geographical scope of the studies, Dr Agyemang issued a firm call for wider, country-specific research efforts. “Our findings offer only a limited perspective,” he cautioned. “The fact that all qualifying studies were based in one country shows the scale of the challenge.
Much of sub-Saharan Africa remains in a data vacuum when it comes to evidence-based obesity prevention.”
In addition to physical activity, the study assessed other interventions such as health education and micronutrient supplementation. However, the limited data available prevented conclusive assessments of their long-term effectiveness.
The review also revealed a widespread lack of sustainability planning across existing interventions—an area that must be urgently addressed.
Professor Peter Agyei-Baffour, Dean of the School of Public Health at KNUST, praised the study as a forward-thinking contribution with major public health implications. “With obesity posing a threat not only to health outcomes but also to economic development in SSA, we can no longer afford to rely on borrowed models,” he said. “This study is a critical step towards developing our own robust evidence base.”
The findings have begun to gain traction in both public health and policy circles, positioning Dr Agyemang as a leading voice at the intersection of science and governance. His role as MP provides a crucial platform for translating research insights into legislative action.
“This is not just about academic research,” Dr Agyemang concluded. “It is about applying knowledge to influence policy, protect communities, and create healthier futures for our people.”
The full study is available upon request and stands as a valuable resource for academics, practitioners, and policymakers working to design and implement effective obesity interventions across sub-Saharan Africa.
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