Challenges Faced by the Urban Black South Africans in the Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases

This paper was conducted to describe some of the circumstances that increases the risk factors fornon-communicable diseases amongst the previously disadvantaged South African population. The work presented here is based on an action research in an urban black township of Cape Town. The goal was to develop a NonCommunicable Disease model, which can be used to benefit an urban township community. Using a participatory process data was collected during each stage of the development and implenting interventions. Interviews, observations and situational assessment of resources available for promoting healthy lifestyle in the township were used to collect data. Although urbanisation seems to be a driving force in nutrition transition, there are underlyingfactors that influence lifestyle changes. These includes the environment in which people find themselves. The city provides variety of cheap unhealthy food at a lower price. Due to poverty and lack of knowledge, healthy foods become of less important. People tend to indulge in food rich in fat and sugars due to the belief that they have missed opportunities of enjoying these foods due to deprivation. This has lead to the increase in the prevalence of NCDs among poor South Africans. In conclusion, this work provided important information regarding the challenges faced by the urbanised poor population in South Africa. Although Khayelitsha was used to illustrate these challenges,the situation is similar to other urban townships of in South Africa. Authors’ Address: Thandi Puoane and Lungiswa Tsolekile, School of Public Health, University ofthe Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa Corresponding Author: Dr Thandi Puoane, Associate Professor, School of Public Health, Universityof the Western cape, Private Bag X17. Bellville, 7945, South Africa © Kamla-Raj Enterprises 2008Health and Nutritional ProblemsTribes and Tribals, Special Volume No. 2: 9-14 (2008)of Indigenous PopulationsKaushik Bose, Guest Editor