Obesity rates are rapidly increasing in the African Region, as in most parts of the world. Overweight and obesity, particularly in urban settings, are major risk factors for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attacks and a variety of cancers. There is a common misconception that obesity and other noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) only occur among the wealthy. Poorer populations are experiencing high double-burdens of infectious and chronic diseases.

Julia Goedecke, a senior specialist for the Medical Research Council of South Africa said that many do not understand the health consequences of being overweight. "People don’t understand it; they see it as more of an aesthetic problem than a health problem". She said that culture influences perceptions around obesity. "In some cultures obesity is associated with health and prosperity". Did you know that 31% of men and 68% of women in South Africa are obese? Being overweight or obese not only affects your self-esteem, it also leads to heart disease and potentially an early death. This is a big problem, not only in adults but also in children. According to Stats SA, 62.2% women and 25.1% men in the Western Cape are overweight or obese.

If obesity in South African children continues to increase at the current rate, 3.91 million school children will be overweight or obese by 2025. On world Obesity Day, the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSF), together with the World Obesity Federation, calls for decisive action from government, private sector and parents.

South African 24-hour movement guidelines from birth to five years. Guidelines for parents and practitioners are in Afrikaans, English, Ndebele, Northern Sotho, Sesotho, Setswana, siSwati, Venda, Xhosa, Xitsonga, Zulu