Weight Loss in Kenya: Risks of Jabs & Rising Obesity Concerns
A shifting cultural landscape in Kenya is driving a surge in demand for weight-loss treatments, ranging from surgical procedures to pharmaceutical interventions like Ozempic. Once, a fuller figure was often seen as a sign of prosperity. Now, a growing awareness of the health risks associated with obesity, coupled with societal pressures fueled by social media, is prompting more Kenyans to seek ways to lose weight.
Dr. Lyudmila Shchukina, founder of the Nairobi Bariatric Center, has witnessed this transformation firsthand. After struggling to attract patients three decades ago, her clinic now sees between 10 and 15 patients daily. “It’s a boom,” she told the BBC, attributing the increase to more than just vanity. Patients are presenting with weight-related health issues such as high blood pressure, infertility, diabetes, and debilitating joint and back pain, leading them to seek medical help.
This shift reflects a broader realization that obesity is not merely a cosmetic concern, but a significant health risk. Kenyans, Dr. Shchukina notes, are “discovering that obesity is not a sign of wealth, it’s about health.” However, the speed at which this change is occurring raises concerns about the methods people are employing to achieve weight loss.
The allure of quick fixes is driving a surge in both surgical procedures and pharmaceutical interventions, particularly weight-loss jabs like Ozempic. While officially available in Kenya only with a prescription, the demand has led to a growing trend of individuals seeking access through unregulated markets. This raises significant safety concerns, as the quality and authenticity of these products cannot be guaranteed.
Dr. Alvin Mondoh, a Kenyan weight-management specialist, acknowledges that some individuals genuinely need medical intervention for weight gain caused by factors “beyond your control.” However, he also warns about a concerning trend: “Unfortunately, what we’ve seen in the recent past is a growing trend of people using it for vanity reasons.”
The cost of these treatments can be substantial. Packages at the Nairobi Bariatric Center, which include surgery, medication, and counseling, can reach up to $7,000 (approximately £5,000), placing them out of reach for most Kenyans. Influencer Naomi Kuria, who has publicly shared her weight-loss journey, has spent around $6,000 on both medication and airsculpt procedures.
Kuria emphasizes the importance of being aware of the potential consequences of these procedures. “You will [also] pay the cost of recovery, which is not easy. You will pay the cost of stigma, society stigma. It’s a shortcut that is never short,” she cautions. Despite these challenges, Kuria reports having no regrets about her decision.
The desperation to lose weight can also make individuals vulnerable to scams. Dr. Mondoh warns that unscrupulous actors may exploit this vulnerability. In , Kenya’s Pharmacy and Poisons Board issued a public safety alert regarding the use of weight-loss medicines, specifically highlighting the risks associated with unsupervised or off-label use of semaglutide (Ozempic). The board stated that such use “may result in serious health concerns.”
The alert followed concerns about influencers promoting access to cheaper, potentially unregulated sources of weight-loss jabs. One fitness influencer was warned to cease promoting locations where his followers could purchase the medication at a reduced price.
Despite the risks and costs, the demand for quick weight-loss solutions is unlikely to diminish given the rising obesity levels in Kenya. A survey revealed that over half of women and a quarter of men in urban areas were either overweight or obese, while in rural areas, the figures were 39% of women and 14% of men. This underscores the need for comprehensive public health strategies to address the root causes of obesity and promote sustainable, healthy lifestyles.
The situation in Kenya mirrors a global trend, as societies grapple with increasing obesity rates and the associated health consequences. The pursuit of weight loss is intensifying, and the question remains: which solutions will people choose, and at what cost?