By Nformi Sonde Kinsai
University Professor Emeritus, Jean Claude Mbanya, has disclosed that as much as 43 percent of deaths registered in Cameroon are caused by diet-related Non-Communicable Diseases.
Prof. Mbanya made the disclosure in a keynote presentation in Yaounde on April 8, 2026 at the start of a two-day first-ever National Symposium and Round-Table for Action on Chronic NCDs. The event organised by Reconciliation and Development Association, RADA; was placed under the theme: “Nutrition and NCDs.”
Talking on “The Burden of Diet-Related NCDs in Cameroon,” Mbanya, who was also the President of the Scientific Committee, declared that “what we eat now is one of the leading causes of deaths.” He said the burden goes beyond individual health as it leads to premature deaths, affecting the economy as it results to increases in healthcare costs and drop in productivity; as well as playing against development as a whole for it threatens progress and growth.
Moving from global figures to national, he stated that 74% of deaths in the world are linked to diet-related NCDs and recording as much as 80% of deaths in Low and Medium Income Countries, LMICs. He said diet remains a major driver of NCDs as high sugar intake leads to obesity, diabetes and dental diseases. On the other hand, excessive salt consumption causes hypertension and cardiovascular disease while ultra-processed foods high in sugars, salt, unhealthy fats, and so on; as a whole causes NCDs.
Prof. Mbanya said NCDs represent 43% of deaths in Cameroon. Reiterating that it is better to prevent and control, he said mortality for major disease conditions in the country for all age groups are linked to diet-related NCDs. He added that 29% of the deaths are not only as a result of cardiovascular diseases but hypertension as well. Cancers caused by diet-related NCDS represent 16%; diabetes and chronic kidney diseases 11%; transport and injuries 7% and others 8%.
On overweight and obesity trend in Cameroon, Mbanya regretted that 26% of overweight are registered in children of 5-19 years while 15.1% of Cameroonian adults are obese. The trend coupled with food environment explain why they are many Cameroonians living with diabetes without treatment because children are exposed to greater availability of all sorts of diets causing NCDs such as ultra-processed foods and sugary drinks; easy access to shops selling ultra-processed foods; while healthier food options are often less accessible or more expensive.
He also talked of commercial determinants such as the aggressive marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages and the use of the media for branding and promotion. On social determinants, he mentioned poverty that limits access to healthy food choices, emergence of urban lifestyles; unequal access to healthy life with its health, economic and inequality toll.
On the need for a more vigorous policy, Mbanya said for over the year, the response to diet-related diseases has been focusing heavily on education – telling people what to eat and what to avoid. Making reference to the massive display on counters of NCDs-related foods, he argued that “we cannot expect individuals to make healthy choices in unhealthy environment.”
On policy situation in Cameroon geared at addressing unhealthy diets and NCDs, Prof. Mbanya was blunt: “We have best policies on paper which are not being implemented.” He said Cameroon was amongst the first to ratify the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control but more than 15 years after, a tobacco control law is yet to see the light of day in the country. He mentioned multiple nutrition and health policies document prepared over time, the existence of a national framework for NCDs prevention and the emerging multi-sectoral approaches that are yet to be effectively implemented. He said the more we delay in acting, the more the burden is gaining grounds.
The event was an occasion for the WHO Country Representative, Dr. Magaran Monzon Bagayoko to outline the various areas of health promotion in which they are collaborating with government. He appreciated Cameroon’s efforts at putting in place the Universal Health Coverage policy which aims at quality health for all irrespective their status. He said despite the efforts, there are enormous challenges and one of them is combating NCDs.
The Board Chair of RADA, Dr. Evaristus Acha Tikum said their initiative advocates for a health tax increase on sweetened drinks and other unhealthy packaged food products based on the evidence for public and development benefits in reduced consumption for the prevention and control of NCDs in Cameroon.
Other speakers included the Head of Parliamentary Caucus on Health Financing, Hon Peter Njume; and the Focal Point on Health and Nutrition at the Prime Minister’s Office, Gustav Iyong; who sat in for the PM.