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The World Health Organization defines obesity and overweight as abnormal and excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. The most commonly index used in classifying overweight or obesity in adults is the body mass index (BMI). This is weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters (kg/m2). A BMI equal to or greater than 25 is classified overweight, and that which is equal to or greater than 30 is classified obese.  Obesity usually results from consuming more calories than the quantity spent. When a person consumes more energy dense foods without an equivalent increase in energy expenditure (physical activity), weight gain follows. Also, a decrease in the amount of physical activity without a decrease in calories consumed will result in weight gain. Here are some interesting facts about obesity: 1. Obesity and being overweight in general predisposes a person to noncommunicable diseases like type 2 diabetes; cancers like endometrial, colon, kidney,...

Today, we'll be taking a look at the Emerald Isle, better known as the Republic of Ireland. In case you're wondering, Ireland is called the Emerald Isle because of its vales of green and lush rolling hills. These are the most distinguishing facts about Ireland: 1. From 1845 to 1849, Ireland experienced the Great Famine - also called the Great Hunger - characterized by mass starvation and disease. This was caused by the failure of Ireland's staple crop - the potato - in successive years, caused by late blight. The disease attacks and destroys both the leaves and tubers of the potato plant. The Great Famine resulted in at least one million deaths in Ireland and the emigration of another one million people during the famine years. It also caused the deaths of 100,000 people outside Ireland. 2. Ireland ranks second in tea consumption in the world, only after Turkey. Ireland has a very high tea consumption rate per capita - 2.19 kg of tea per year. Ireland is followe...

We're sharing five incredible facts about Ivory Coast today in honor of DJ Arafat, one of Africa and Ivory Coast's most prominent artists, who passed away yesterday after a traffic accident. You'll be amazed by the things you'll discover about this resilient West African country. 1. Yamoussoukro Ivory Coast's political capital, is home to the largest basilica/church building in the world. The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro is the largest church in the world, with an area of 30,000 square meters and capacity of 18,000. Its construction cost between US$175-600 million. 2. Ivory Coast is the world's leading producer of cocoa, supplying 30% of the world's total cocoa output. In 2017, Ivory Coast produced 1.8 million tons of cocoa, while neighboring Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon and Togo (other top producers) produced 1.55 million tons. 3. Ivory Coast boasts of four UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Such sites are considered to be of "Ou...

Chad is a landlocked Central African country, bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the South, Cameron and Nigeria to the south-west, and Niger to the west. The capital and largest city in Chad is N'Djamena. Chad obtained independence in 1960, under the leadership of Francois Tombalbaye. The official languages spoken in Chad are French and Arabic. General Idriss  Déby Itno has  been the  President of Chad  since December 2, 1990. As of 2015, the Chadian population is estimated to be 13,670,084. Here are more pertinent facts about Chad.  1. Chad is named after its most popular lake, Lake Chad. Lake Chad used to be the seventh largest lake in the world and the fourth largest in Africa. However, due to advanced desertification and low rainfall, it has shrunk to less than 10% of its former size and volume. Lake Chad is however the largest lake in the Chad Basin. 2. According to the Borgen Project, Chad ...

Senegal, officially known as the Republic of Senegal is a unitary presidential republic found in West Africa. Dakar serves as Senegal's economic and political capital. Senegal has a population of about 15 million people. Discover Senegal through this lens. 1. Senegal allegedly derives its name from the Wolof phrase "Sunuu Gaal", which means "our boat". 2. Senegal is home to seven World Heritage Sites:  Saloum Delta, Goree Island, Saint-Louis Island, Bassari Country, Niokolo-Koba National Park, and Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary .  3. Senegal has a pink lake, Lac Rose, which derives its pinkish hue from the non-harmful bacteria in the lake that produce a red pigment to absorb sunlight. 4. Dakar - the Senegalese capital is home to Africa's tallest statue - the 49-meter African Renaissance Monument. 5. Wrestling is Senegal's most popular sport. Other popular sports in Senegal include football and basketball. 6. Some d...

Ghana, officially known as the Republic of Ghana, is found on the west coast of Africa. In the Soninke language, Ghana means "warrior king". Ghana became the first self-governing (independent) country on the African continent in 1957, under President Kwame Nkrumah. Before 1957, Ghana was commonly known as the Gold coast, due to the availability of gold along rivers Volta and Ankobra.  Its capital city, Accra is the commercial hub of the country. What's more, Accra is the seat of the country's government and is the country's most populous city. Accra” translates to “ants”, named as such because of the anthills that once surrounded the city. English is Ghana's official language. Ghana's current president is Mr. Nana Akufo-Addo. Learn more about Ghana through these ten interesting facts. 1. After English, Akan is the most popularly used language in Ghana, and is spoken by approximately 67.1% of the Ghanaian population. 2. Ghana emerged the...