Young people urged to adopt healthy lifestyles

JOHANNESBURG - Eight out of every 10 young women in South Africa are obese.

The number is slightly lower for young men but is still worrying.

READ: Childhood obesity | Call for urgent policy changes

This opens them up to deadly diseases like hypertension, diabetes, heart failure and some cancers.

The Healthy Living Alliance is calling on youth to shield themselves against dangerous food and lifestyles.

"We see this growth in obesity, actually moving into the space where we're seeing the health conditions associated with obesity growing at a tremendous rate," said Nzama Mbalati.