Dr Delali Badasu, an official of the Economy of Ghana Network, a non-governmental organisation, has said obesity and overweight amongst children and adults in the country was on the increase.

She said this has led to an increase in non-communicable diseases such as high blood pressure and other related heart diseases.

Dr Badasu said this over the weekend during a seminar for students at the Ghanata Senior High School at Dodowa.

The highly attentive and numerous students, who filled the dining hall, asked several questions including: does obesity cause cancer; is it true that fruits eaten on an empty stomach would digest better than eaten after the consumption of food; is taking in lemon advisable for one to lose his or her weight; does one need to really eat three times a day; is too much intake of water linked to obesity; is it true that eating lime could affect the womb of a woman; please provide a list of energy dense foods etc.

Dr Badasu also observed that many women were also underweight because of poor dieting habits.

He said the main causes obesity included sedentary work, poor dietary behaviour, lack of exercise, and the existing perception of ‘fatness’ as a sign of good living.

She said obesity could amongst others lead to a reduced quality of life or premature death, complications during pregnancies, general poor population health, and increase in the nation health expenditure among others.

Dr Badasu told the Ghana News Agency that the programme, on the theme: Obesity and overweight and their health implications in Ghana,” was part of a study organised by the Economy of Ghana Network in collaboration with the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research.

Mr Benjamin Apperkon, the headmaster, Ghanata Senior High School, welcomed the participants to the well attended event, saying the school, initially called the Gold Coast People’s College, was founded at Adidome in the Volta Region.

He expressed appreciation to government for funding various projects in the school, and called on authorities to support the school to help halt encroachment on its lands.