Cameroon’s economic capital, Douala, is hosting the second edition of the Food and Well-being Fair, with the theme ″ LET’S START THE CHANGE″, since 7 November 2024. At this event, players from the agri-food and catering sectors, as well as doctors and psychologists, will engage in discussions with the residents of Douala on how to improve their diet in order to reduce the risk of metabolic diseases.
In Cameroon, 31.7% of children under the age of 5 suffer from stunted growth and 32% of adults are overweight, according to a study carried out in 2019 by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. To respond to this problem and contribute to the well-being of the population, the D-Fit nutrition & health and sports centre is organising the second edition of the food and well-being fair from 7 to 10 November 2024 in Douala. The aim is to give experts the opportunity to talk to Cameroonians about improving their diet to reduce the risk of metabolic diseases.
An unbalanced diet exposes us to a number of diseases. We have cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, strokes and metabolic diseases such as diabetes. There’s also obesity, which is already a risk factor for all these diseases.
Christelle Tchoumkeu Mbiami, Dietician
According to the experts, we need to limit our consumption of ultra-processed foods, as they are an excessive source of sodium, sugars and saturated fats in the diet, and increase the risk of developing chronic disorders such as diabetes, certain forms of cancer, cardiovascular disease and hypertension.
To be in good health, you need to eat a balanced diet. You need to eat everything, but in a balanced way and in small quantities, particularly proteins, fats, carbohydrates and micronutrients, without going on a diet either.
Valérie GAKOU, Aesthetic doctor
The World Health Organisation’s statistics on unhealthy eating are alarming. More than a billion people worldwide are obese: 650 million adults, including 340 million adolescents and 39 million children. The WHO estimates that by 2025, around 167 million people will be in poorer health as a result of being overweight or obese.
