Overweight Namibia MPs need a change of lifestyle

Namibia's Members of Parliament (MP) need a lifestyle change as 46.9 per cent of the legislators are overweight, obese or extremely obese, Minister of Health and Social Services Richard Kamwi said in the National Assembly on Tuesday.

Kamwi said this following the release of results of the Workplace Wellness Service Day conducted by the First National Bank in March 2012 on MPs and parliament staff, Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA) reported.

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The results found that 43.8 per cent of MPs have hypertension, 31.3 have high cholesterol, 18.8 suffer from diabetes and 46.9 were found to be overweight, obese or extremely obese.”

Kamwi said all these ailments known as non-communicable diseases are on the rise and are fast becoming a major burden on the health sector.

"Non-communicable diseases are lifestyle diseases. MPs must implement lifestyle changes, especially those who indulge in unhealthy habits," he said.

"What we see here in parliament is only a tip of the iceberg. Imagine what is out there in parastatals, the private sector and the country at large."

The health minister told the legislative house strong prevention measures are needed for people who have not adopted a healthier way of living, including MPs.

“"This is the beginning of a non-communicable disease tsunami that will hit Namibia in 10 to 20 years, unless we invest in prevention and health promotion now," Kamwi said.