HARARE - It is easy and cheap to gain weight but difficult and tough to lose it.
Every morning in different residential areas, women, men, girls, boys and couples in sneakers tights and sport-shirts are a common site on side-roads.
For some it is a lifestyle but hundreds are sweating to shed excess fat.
Many people are overweight (which is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 25 or higher) while for others obesity is defined as a BMI of 30 or higher.
BMI is calculated by taking a person’s weight in kilograms and dividing it by the person’s squared height in metres.
Department of Anatomy, University of Zimbabwe School of Medicine, Harare 1994, produced a paper titled: Obesity: Is it a problem in black Africans in Zimbabwe?
The academic, Zinyowera, found that Zimbabwean women were largely overweight and had larger mean waist circumferences.
“They were, therefore, at greater risk of health problems associated with abdominal adiposity.
“Many women in Zimbabwe suffer abdominal obesity defined as a larger than expected waist girt,” he said.
In many cases, both women and men are struggling to get rid of belly fat and maintain a cool body.
Accumulated through eating the wrong or bigger food portions as well as pure lack of exercise — the implications of excessive fats cannot be overstated.
Centres for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention say as people become “overweight” and “obese,” their risk for developing the following conditions increases: Coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancers (endometrial, breast, and colon), hypertension (high blood pressure), dyslipidemia (for example, high total cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides), stroke, liver and gallbladder disease, sleep apnea and breathing problems, osteoarthritis (a breakdown of cartilage and bone within a joint), gynaecological problems such as abnormal periods and infertility.
With routes for natural weight loss being cumbersome, many are opting to go for easy alternatives such weight loss formulas.
Though marketers recommend diets, the impression is the products are miracle workers — even is a client proceeds with their unhealthy lifestyles.
“Having a healthy body image is great. I used to do sit up in the morning, but I realised it was so cumbersome and painful so I decided to try these weight loss formulas,” said Miriam Furudzai, (27).
A survey done by the Eye Shot showed that weight conscious Zimbabweans are spending $80 in gym budgets — this is also the minimum budgets for supplements.
However, individuals who desperately want to shed several kilograms without facing a gym instructor are being persuaded to fork-out as much as $300 for the full-kit of formulas.
“You can get products for $80 but if you synonymously take say the tea and capsules it becomes more effective and cheaper,” said Zimbabwe weight loss manager who sent a quote to this writer.
The majority weight management medicines come in the form of powders, solutions, capsules and teas.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that about 15,7 percent of Zimbabwe’s population is obese.
Specialists within the Health ministry claim the problem is growing.
Shepherd Makusha (41), who joined a slimming club which is costing him $270 every month, says he is about to give up.
“I thought it was going to help me drop kilos fast but hey, I am tired of drinking them and my tummy is put,” he said adding “At first they seemed to work but now ndangosticker paone (stuck in one) place so”.
A Global Burden of Disease Study suggests the amount of obese and overweight adults had increased by 28 percent and 47 percent in children in the last 33 years.
Harare-based personal fitness trainer, Ottis Goredema, said weight loss successes are achieved through weight loss formulas temporary.
“The best weight loss formula is a healthy eating plan and a regular exercise regime.
“Weight loss formulas may work on a short term basis but any gains (or rather losses) are often temporary,” said Goredema.
Gym instructor and four time Iron Man title holder Zumailer Eusen-Maman said there is only one system which works for losing weight — the natural way.
“Training and proper dieting are the two most important things. If you reduce sugar, salt and fats intake, you can lose weight.
“When you use supplements as catalysts, the moment you stop, you are likely to double your body weight,” he said.
Maman said the products are unreasonably financially straining.
“The problem with those products is they work only in a cycle. You take one that flushes out fats and another to detoxify it.
“It is like your natural body functions have been suspended while some chemicals take-over processes”.