NNW 2025 aims to raise awareness about the importance of healthy eating and proper nutrition for overall well-being and disease prevention.  It highlights the role of nutrition in physical and mental health and promotes the consumption of nutrient-rich foods for optimal outcomes.  It aims to address the country's triple burden of malnutrition.

According to Maria van der Merwe, President of the Association for Dietetics in South Africa (ADSA), “Nearly half of adults in South Africa live with overweight or obesity, while almost one in four households (23.6%) experience food insecurity.  At the same time, an estimated 10 million tons of food are wasted annually.  These stark realities highlight the urgent need for collective action to promote healthier diets, reduce waste, and strengthen local food systems.”

Triple burden of malnutrition

The "triple burden of malnutrition" is the coexistence of undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies and overnutrition within the same population, community, or even household.  This complex public health issue means that different forms of malnutrition exist simultaneously, driven by factors like poverty, poor diet, and global food system changes.

• Undernutrition: This includes being underweight, with conditions such as stunting (low height for age) and wasting (low weight for height).
• Micronutrient deficiencies: Also known as "hidden hunger," this is a lack of essential vitamins and minerals, such as iron, zinc, and vitamin A.
• Overnutrition: This refers to having an excess of calories, leading to overweight and obesity, often due to consuming diets high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.

How does food impact health?

The food we eat impacts our health in 4 ways:

• We need to look at what we eat.
• How much of it we eat.
• How we prepare
• When we eat it.

What is the connection between food and health?

An unhealthy diet can cause:

• Overweight
• Tooth decay
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Heart disease and stroke
• Type-2 diabetes
• Some cancers
• Depression
• Eye, bone and kidney problems
• Low energy levels
• Skin problems

What is mindful eating

Mindful eating is simply being more aware of our eating.  It’s taking a proactive approach and thinking about our meals and snacks.  By doing this we can gain control of our eating habits, influence our weight, manage medical conditions, and reduce binge, emotional or overeating.

In today’s world everything is fast and this includes eating.  However, is it takes 20 minutes for your brain to tell you that you’re full.  Many times, we are totally mindless when it comes to eating.  Here are some practical tips:

• Eat slowly and avoid distractions.
• Allow physical hunger to lead to eating. Understand true hunger triggers and avoid emotional hunger triggers.
• Eat only until you’re full.
• Use your senses when you eat. Notice favours, scents and textures.
• Appreciate your food.
• Chew slowly. It is recommended up to 15 times per bite.
• Sit down. Don’t eat on the go.  You’re less likely to appreciate your food when you are multi-tasking.  It’s also difficult to keep track of how much you are eating when you eat on the go.
• Serve out your portions. It is easier to overeat when you eat directly from a bag or box.
• Pick the smaller plate. Smaller plates help with portion control.

Focus on making informed food choices and developing sound eating habits.  Take care of your health, make the right choices today.

For more information on healthy eating, download this information brochure:  Healthy Eating Patient Information Leaflet.