PAN South Africa Launches ‘Nourish to Thrive’ Campaign for World Obesity Day 2025
A Call for Urgent Action to Address South Africa’s Rising Obesity Crisis
The Physicians Association for Nutrition (PAN) is proud to launch its global obesity campaign, Nourish to Thrive: Overcoming Obesity Together on World Obesity Day.
The Physicians Association for Nutrition (PAN) South Africa is proud to join PAN International and its global national offices in launching the ‘Nourish to Thrive: Overcoming Obesity Together’ campaign. This initiative, running throughout 2025 in commemoration of World Obesity Day on 4 March, aims to reshape the conversation around obesity and advocate for evidence-based nutrition solutions to prevent and manage the disease.
Obesity is one of South Africa’s most pressing health concerns, with the National Food and Nutrition Security Survey (October 2024) revealing that 68% of South African women are overweight or obese. This crisis places millions at risk of chronic diseases such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and respiratory problems. The link between food insecurity and poor nutrition further exacerbates the issue, as 69% of obese adults in South Africa live in food-insecure households with limited access to nutritious food.
According to Dr. Nanine Wyma, Executive Director of PAN South Africa, “South Africa’s obesity crisis is driven by a food environment that promotes ultra-processed, low-nutrient foods. Our ‘Nourish to Thrive’ campaign, driven by doctors and health professionals around the world, highlights the urgent need for systemic change in how we approach obesity prevention and care. A diet prioritising whole, plant-based foods can be a powerful tool in combating obesity, improving public health, and creating a more sustainable food system.”
Shifting the Focus: From Restriction to Nutrition
Obesity management has long been dominated by restrictive dieting and calorie counting, but emerging research suggests that a whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) diet is a more sustainable, effective approach. The BROAD study, a randomised controlled trial conducted in New Zealand, found that participants following a WFBP diet experienced a significant reduction in Body Mass Index (BMI) and cholesterol levels within six months - without restricting calories or requiring exercise. These benefits were sustained over 12 months, reinforcing the effectiveness of a WFPB diet as a sustainable and impactful strategy for weight management and cardiovascular health.
The ‘Nourish to Thrive’ campaign seeks to move beyond outdated methods and instead emphasise nutrient-rich eating as a solution that promotes both health and longevity. The campaign will feature a series of global educational initiatives, strategic partnerships, and advocacy efforts to support professionals in guiding patients toward sustainable, health-promoting dietary changes.
Additionally, PAN South Africa is participating in activities planned by the National Department of Health for World Obesity Day, including the Changing Systems, Healthier Lives event, which will be held at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) Ritson Campus on 10 March 2025. As one of the exhibitors, PAN South Africa will have a stall offering healthy plant-based food sampling and providing an opportunity for medical and dietetics students to join PAN University - a student-led society for health science students promoting nutrition, plant-based eating, sustainable food, and lifestyle medicine on campus.
The Call to Action: Policy Change and Public Awareness
Through ‘Nourish to Thrive,’ PAN South Africa is calling on healthcare professionals, policymakers, and organisations to rethink their approach to obesity care. Key areas for action include:
Integrating nutrition education into healthcare systems to empower medical professionals to guide patients toward healthier eating habits.
Expanding access to affordable, nutrient-dense foods in communities most affected by food insecurity and obesity.
Implementing policies that limit the marketing of ultra-processed foods to children and promote healthier alternatives in schools and public spaces.
“The fight against obesity is not just about individual choices but about transforming the food environments we live in,” says Dr. Wyma. “If we want to curb South Africa’s rising obesity rates, we need a shift in both policy and public perception - one that prioritises sustainable nutrition as a cornerstone of health.”
Join the Movement
PAN South Africa encourages healthcare professionals, community leaders, and the public to participate in the campaign by attending the webinars, advocating for policy change, and spreading awareness about the benefits of plant-forward nutrition.
For more information about the campaign and upcoming events, visit www.pan-int.org or contact PAN South Africa at nanine.wyma@pan-sa.org.
ENDS
About PAN South Africa
Physicians Association for Nutrition (PAN) South Africa, established in 2020, is the national chapter of a global medical non-profit organisation in over 10 countries. We work with health professionals, students and policymakers on the role of plant-forward dietary patterns for chronic disease, climate change and pandemic risk.
PAN South Africa Media Contact
Shaiyah Nosipho Luthuli – Communications Manager
Email: shaiyah.nosipho@pan-sa.org; +27 72 579 5222
