One in three South Africans is now obese, and health experts fear the problem will worsen rapidly if the nation’s sugar habits are not addressed. The 2025 World Obesity Atlas warns that half of all women in the country could be classified as obese within five years.
South Africa’s rate of obesity is rising faster than in many Western countries, and doctors say sugar addiction is at the heart of the crisis. According to Dr Tommie Smook, a medical practitioner at Dr Smook and Partners, even a body mass index of 25 places a person in the overweight category, while at 30 they are considered obese.
September is Heart Awareness Month, and Dr Smook stresses that the danger is not only about body size. “Sugar dramatically increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and even depression. This is no longer just about weight, it is about survival and quality of life,” he said.
Already, around 63 percent of South Africans under 70 die from non communicable diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, with excess weight a major contributing factor.
The grip of sugar on daily life
Sugar hides in unexpected places, from cereals and sauces to fruit juices that appear healthy. South Africans today consume nearly three times more sugar than they did 50 years ago, driven largely by the rise of ultra processed foods.
“We are in a war with sugar, and sugar is winning. It hijacks the brain’s reward system, creating cravings and withdrawal symptoms. A single soda contains about seven teaspoons of sugar, enough to keep the cycle going,” Dr Smook explained.
Over time, high sugar intake raises blood pressure, inflames blood vessels and builds visceral fat around organs. These changes increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes, while also straining an already overburdened health system.
Practical steps and medical support
Dr Smook believes South Africans can break the cycle without drastic measures. Simple and consistent changes such as replacing sauces with spices or lemon juice, swapping flavoured drinks for sparkling water with fruit slices, or choosing plain oats over sugar loaded cereals can retrain taste buds and reduce dependence.
Yet for many people, willpower alone is not enough. In recent years, GLP 1 therapies, first developed for diabetes, have become a breakthrough tool for safe and steady weight loss. These treatments mimic natural hormones that regulate appetite, digestion and blood sugar. By curbing cravings and slowing digestion, they help patients feel fuller for longer.
The benefits go further than weight control. GLP 1 therapies stabilise blood sugar and insulin levels, lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation and improve blood vessel health. Patients often report better cholesterol levels, improved heart protection and enhanced wellbeing.
At Dr Smook and Partners, managed by RXME, the treatments are tailored to each patient and monitored by medical professionals. Nationwide access ensures that South Africans outside major cities are not left behind.
“Within weeks, patients notice fewer cravings, improved appetite control and steady weight loss. Combined with lifestyle changes, this represents the future of preventative health, protecting South Africans’ hearts while helping them feel good in their own skin again,” said Dr Smook.
