Our Strategy
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2016, more than 1.9 billion adults aged 18 years and older were overweight. The worldwide prevalence of obesity nearly tripled between 1975 and 2016. The number of overweight or obese young children globally increased from 31 million in 1990 to 42 million in 2015. In the African region alone over the same period, the number of overweight or obese children under 5 years of age increased from 4 million to 10 million. The prevalence of overweight and obesity is rapidly increasing in the world, including in the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Notably, most of the world’s population lives in countries where overweight and obesity kills more people than underweight. A growing body of literature demonstrates the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity among the urban population in sub-Saharan Africa. At the E. African regional level, we are experiencing a rapid increase in the rates of overweight and obesity. Data from the latest demographic health surveys shows that there has been a significant increase in this prevalence specifically among men, women and children in the urban cities in the past 8 years.
The Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (1995–2016) shows that there is a significant prevalence of obesity and overweight particularly amongst the reproductive age (14-49 years) of both men and women, and children in Uganda especially in the peri-urban areas. This is attributed to low physical activity, sedentary lifestyles, psychosocial factors, demographic and nutritional transitions, education and income levels as major contributing factors. Persons with obesity and overweight stand major risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as: cardiovascular disease, diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders and some cancers. Recently, obesity and overweight have been listed by the Centres for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) as risk factors for severe illness from the global COVID-19 pandemic with implications including: hospitalization, intensive care, help from a ventilator to breathe and even death. CDC reveals that the risk of severe COVID-19 illness increases sharply with an elevated Body Mass Index (BMI).
The rising prevalence of NCDs is a growing concern globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. According to WHO, 41 million of the global 55 million deaths were due to NCDs in 2019. The burden of NCDs in the WHO African region is gradually increasing and is predicted to overtake the burden of mortality and morbidity from communicable diseases, with a likelihood of becoming a major health system challenge in Africa by 2030. According to the WHO NCDs Country Profiles, 2018, NCDs were estimated to account for 33 per cent of the 297,000 deaths in Uganda.
WHO suggests that 80 per cent of such risk factors of premature heart disease, stroke and diabetes can be prevented. One of the key global objectives for combatting NCDs is promotion of effective interventions to prevent and control risk factors for NCDs including obesity and overweight. WHO recommends implementing mass awareness campaigns highlighting the importance of physical activity for well-being as one of the effective NCDs interventions.
Health and wellness transformation in Uganda and Africa at large requires the right mix of policies, investment, public and private sector engagement. Working with actors including government, civil society organizations, academia, research institutions, NGOs, private sector and development partners in the African health and wellness landscape, P3.8 is committed to revolutionizing and catalyzing health and wellness transformation in Africa.
The P3.8 model, with a key focus on combating obesity and overweight- a key risk factor for NCDs directly contributes to the achievement of Uganda Vision 2040, Africa 2063 Agenda and SDG3: Good health and well-being; creating action to promote health and well-being for all: Target 3.4: Reduce mortality from Non-Communicable Diseases and promote mental health.
Narrative
As a holistic fitness brand, we make interventions in six (6) broad strategic areas: (i) Empowering obesity and overweight people through fitness and wellness coaching (ii) Nutrition and dietary analysis to inform and influence healthy eating/food choices and habits (iii) Increasing access to health and wellness support through establishment of affordable fitness infrastructure and centers within communities (iv) Establishing strategic partnerships to promote health and wellness in the country, region and beyond (v) Learning and knowledge generation on health and wellness locally, regionally and across the African continent and (vi) Capacity building for fitness and wellness.
At output level, across the six interventions, we make assumptions that: (i) we reach the right people, (ii) with the right message(s) and that (iii) these messages are well understood and taken in. It is then that we are/shall be able to influence change within our target population at the next outcomes 1 level. At outcomes 1 level, our model assumes that that there is willingness amongst the targeted population to change knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAPs) and ultimately behavior. This will eventually bring about two major outcomes: (i) Adoption of an active and healthier lifestyle and (ii) Improved health and wellness capacity and capabilities including research, knowledge and tools for Africa.
Given the magnitude of our goal, right from output to impact level, P3.8 is cognizant that the ultimate goal can only be achieved alongside other actors and players within our operating environment. At impact level, we envision a reduction in obesity and overweight cases among African communities, and subsequently a significant reduction in Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs). This will ultimately contribute to the transformation of health and wellness in Africa, which is our vision.
We are very keen on engaging and collaborating with strategic partners including government (through ministries, departments and agencies), health and wellness practitioners, academia and research institutions, CSOs, NGOs, development and funding agencies and media, both locally, regionally and internationally. If our or any facets of our business model and/or Theory of Change (TOC) interests you, and you would like to explore possibilities for collaboration with P3.8, please email us at admin@p3-8.com, address your interest to:
The Team Leader,
P3.8 Fitness Hub,
Level 2, Mulawa Mall, Kira Bulindo Road,
Wakiso, Uganda