The South African Demographic and Health survey of 2016 revealed that obesity has increased since 1998, with women having higher rates of obesity (68%) and severe obesity (i.e., 1 in 5 women with a BMI ≥35.0), compared to 31% of men being obese (StatsSA, 2017b).

References:

StatsSA. (2017b). South Africa Demographic and Health Survey: Key Indicator Report 2016. Available from: https://www.statssa.gov.za/publications/Report%2003-00-09/Report%2003-00-092016.pdf