Food poverty and diet-related disease deepen South Africa’s nutrition crisis

South Africa is facing a double burden of food poverty and diet-related diseases, with households struggling to access diverse, nutritious food while diabetes and other non-communicable diseases continue to rise. In 2024, diabetes accounted for 6.1% of deaths, up from 5.8% in 2023, and was the leading cause of death among those aged 45 to 64. UNICEF reports that 23% of children under five experience severe food poverty, and 21% of children and adolescents aged five to 19 were overweight in 2022. Financial and practical pressures influence dietary choices, often prioritizing food quantity over nutritional quality.