Tanzania has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling the growing challenge of obesity, overweight and diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs), outlining a range of measures aimed at protecting public health and reducing the economic impact of nutrition-related illnesses.
The government’s efforts were highlighted by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Grace Magembe, during a high-level government leaders’ session at the International Congress on Obesity (ICO) in Mexico.
Dr Magembe said Tanzania is implementing preventive measures to address the double burden of malnutrition, where the country continues to fight undernutrition while also responding to increasing cases of excessive weight gain and lifestyle-related diseases.
She said the government is promoting healthier lifestyles through the “Zijue Namba Zako” (Know Your Numbers) campaign, an initiative launched by Health Minister Mohamed Mchengerwa to encourage citizens to regularly monitor key health indicators.
The campaign focuses on increasing awareness among citizens about the importance of checking blood pressure, blood sugar levels, body weight, height and waist circumference to identify early warning signs of NCDs and take preventive action.
“Prevention remains a key priority in reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases. Encouraging people to understand their health status enables early intervention and better management of risks,” Dr Magembe said.
Beyond public awareness campaigns, she said Tanzania is strengthening evidence-based policies through research and assessments aimed at improving the food environment.
The government has conducted a National Investment Case for preventing overweight and obesity, assessed the nutritional quality of packaged foods available in the market, and carried out studies on consumers’ understanding of nutrition information displayed on food labels.
Dr Magembe said Tanzania has also developed a National Nutrient Profiling Model and is working with East African Community (EAC) partner states to develop a regional framework for assessing the nutritional quality of foods.
The framework will support future measures, including the introduction of warning labels on food packages, regulation of advertisements for unhealthy foods—particularly those targeting children—and strengthening nutrition standards in schools.
She said the achievements have been made possible through cooperation between the government, research institutions, universities, civil society organisations and development partners.
According to Dr Magembe, Tanzania’s approach is centred on scientific evidence and collaboration across different sectors to develop effective solutions for preventing obesity and related diseases.
The International Congress on Obesity, which concludes on July 17, 2026, has brought together experts and policymakers from different countries to exchange experiences, discuss best practices and explore financing opportunities for interventions aimed at preventing obesity, abdominal obesity and other NCDs.
The meeting comes as countries intensify efforts to address lifestyle-related health challenges that are placing increasing pressure on healthcare systems and household incomes.
