In Kenya, the demand for medical weight loss programs seems to be growing rapidly, and this phenomenon could be an indication of the changing attitudes and perceptions about obesity and beauty among the population.
According to reports, the clinics offering bariatric surgery, medication, and cosmetic procedures are experiencing an increase in the number of patients, and this could be an indication of the growing concern about physical and mental well-being.
At the Nairobi Bariatric Center, which was established three decades ago by Dr. Lyudmila Shchukina and her late husband, the demand for the clinic’s services has increased significantly, with the clinic now attending to 10 to 15 patients on a daily basis, compared to the sporadic demand for the clinic’s services in the past.
“It’s a boom,” Shchukina said at the end of the day. According to the clinic owner, the clients who seek the clinic’s services are suffering from various health problems, including high blood pressure, diabetes, joint pain, and infertility.
In the country of Kenya, for instance, the prevalence of obesity has been rising in recent years. Recently, a survey carried out across the country revealed that over half of the women in urban centers were either obese or overweight.
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Additionally, a quarter of the men were also suffering from the two conditions. These figures were lower for the rural population, with 39% of the women and 14% of the men suffering from the two weight-related problems.
Health authorities have expressed concern about the rising cases of obesity due to the risks it poses to the public.
Another factor that contributes to the rising interest in weight loss is the social factor. Social media sites in the country of Kenya have come under criticism for the negative comments that users receive about their weight.
Political activist Francis Gaitho reported that he received negative comments from the public to the effect that he should “unfat” after he uploaded his pictures on the social media sites.
Society seems to be the driving factor behind the increasing interest in weight loss, as noted by Schchukina.
Medical workers say that the reasons for the procedures vary. Some patients want to improve their health, while others want to change their appearance. “At one time, being ‘big size’ was considered fashionable, now the trend is slim,” Shchukina said.
Beauty expert Yvonne Kanyi explained the change by the fact that the media’s influence of celebrities had become a norm to include medical procedures to maintain the desired image.
Another factor was the personal empowerment of women making choices about their own bodies.
This is seen in Kenya’s social media influencers and celebrities. Naomi Kuria, a 27-year-old social media influencer, started a weight loss regimen in 2024.
After getting minimal success from gymming for months, causing knee pain, she decided to seek pharmacological help.
She chose Ozempic, a drug containing semaglutide, commonly used to control diabetes in obese people, also useful in managing weight in the long term by controlling appetite and rate of stomach emptying.
She managed to lose 11 kilograms (24 pounds) in six weeks, though she also felt severe nausea as a side effect. She later went through an “air sculpt,” a body contouring procedure using liposuction, where she transferred fat from her stomach area to her legs.
Kuria admitted the public criticism of the methods used. This included comments on the need to spend approximately 700,000 Kenyan shillings ($5,400) on cosmetic and weight loss treatments.
“You will pay the cost of recovery, which is not easy. You will pay the cost of stigma, society stigma. It’s a shortcut that is never short,” she said.
The content creator admitted that the comments were “misjudging” her decision to undergo the treatments. “It’s a decision that is very personal to me.
I went through a period of personal bereavement. You will see weight fluctuations. It’s not a shortcut. It’s a decision based on health concerns.”
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Another content creator who shared her experience of body modification and weight loss is Ciru Muriuki. The 43-year-old content creator first underwent the gastric balloon weight loss method.
This method involves the temporary insertion of a silicone balloon into the stomach. The balloon is used to limit the capacity of the stomach. Muriuki went through the method before seeking weight loss medications.
The content creator noted that she went through a period of weight fluctuations due to her personal bereavement.
Medical experts in Kenya highlight the point that although dieting and exercising are the first recommendations for weight management, some people need to be helped through medical intervention due to various biological or hormonal reasons.
Despite the advice from officials, the popularity of surgical and pharmacological weight loss solutions does not appear to be going away any time soon.
Weight loss clinics are seeing more and more inquiries, and the experiences of the famous are helping to raise awareness among the general population.