The Agriculture Minister Frank Tumwebaze has dismissed ongoing wide debate about his new slim appearance, noting that the public concern about his new appearance is simply an outdated attitudes, noting that being lean should not be equated with poor health.
In a statement shared on his X account from the ongoing NRM retreat at the National Leadership Institute Kyankwanzi (NALI), the minister who calls on more attention to be directed to the growing non- Communicable diseases burden, noted that people who still perceive that being overweight means one being healthy, while if one is slim, they are sickly is a cause for alarm in this modern day and era.
“The dominant but mistaken thinking that being heavy, overweight & obese= being healthy and on the other hand being slim & small-framed = being unhealthy is a serious cause for alarm. To the contrary, a lean body= a strong one. Is this hard to understand?” he said.
Tumwebaze urged health educators, epidemiologists, nutritionists and all health professionals, to intervene and help change people’s perception relating one’s looks to their health status.
“Weight loss can only be worrying if it’s unintentional, unexplainable, and most times due to malnutrition or an involuntary metabolic syndrome associated with underlying chronic sickness” he said.
He added, “BUT if weight loss is intentional & achieved through measures such as dieting or slimming that involve reducing one’s total body mass through calorie reduction, increased physical activity, or lifestyle changes its nothing else BUT an act to celebrate”.
Minister Tumwebaze further advised people to take up weight loss which he notes, is one of the best health targets every rational and disciplined person should set and aim to achieve.
“Yes, looking lean or slim may worry some that may not be used with a person’s new looks, BUT it is all ok. Obesity has never been a badge of honor!” he said.
Tumwebaze further reasserted that he isn’t sick and the new look is intentional.
“So dear friends sending me messages of “quick recovery”( and especially those of you doing so out of love, not mockery), please take heart , I am not sick. My new looks are intentional, Its well with me & I thank God for all his blessings and mostly the gift of life!” he posted.
The minister’s post has since shifted debate to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases including diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, often linked to diet and sedentary lifestyles.
