Wellness Hour | The battle of obesity, ‘SA’s new HIV epidemic’

South Africa is facing a new health crisis alongside the long-fought battle against HIV. Experts are now calling obesity “the new HIV epidemic,” highlighting the rapid rise in overweight and obesity rates across the country. With lifestyle changes, urbanisation, and poor nutrition driving the trend, obesity is contributing to higher risks of diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic conditions. Unlike infectious diseases, obesity develops quietly over time, but its impact on public health, healthcare systems, and society could be equally devastating if urgent interventions aren’t implemented.