The Réseau national des organisations de jeunes pour la nutrition et le développement (ROJNAD-CI) organized the second edition of its Sports March for Nutrition on October 31, 2026, at the Parc national du Banco in Abidjan. The event, held under the coordination of the Conseil national pour l’alimentation et la nutrition (CONANUT) and with financial support from UNICEF, aimed to sensitize young people to the dangers of overweight and obesity. The march drew a large crowd of young participants.
The event featured a combined approach of adapted physical activity and awareness-raising. After a collective warm-up session led by a coach from the Institut national de la jeunesse et des sports (INJS), participants took part in two separate routes, "Titan" for experienced individuals and "Relaxe" for beginners. In addition to the sports activity, young people were educated on various topics related to nutrition and health, including understanding overweight and obesity.
The discussions focused on listening to body signals, identifying associated health risks, and learning about the benefits of regular physical activity in preventing diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Participants were also taught to develop critical thinking about dietary habits, deciphering the effects of ultra-processed foods, and understanding food labeling. The initiative emphasized the importance of promoting local products.
According to UNICEF's resident representative, Jean-François Basse, every young person should be able to move, eat well, and grow up healthy. He stressed the need for collective action to make healthy choices more accessible and attractive in daily life. The 2026 edition aims to establish a network of 700 "Ambassadeurs de la Nutrition" following the success of the first edition.
The global rate of obesity among children and adolescents aged 5-19 has reached 9.4%, surpassing the rate of underweight individuals, according to UNICEF's 2025 report. In Africa, obesity among children and adolescents has nearly doubled between 2010 and 2022, driven by sedentary lifestyles and a transition in nutrition. Côte d'Ivoire is taking steps to address this issue.
The Ivorian government aims to ensure that modernization of lifestyles does not lead to a decline in dietary habits and population health. The country seeks to achieve a successful nutritional transition while preserving its human capital, a priority for President Alassane Ouattara. The ROJNAD-CI initiative is part of these efforts.
The event demonstrated the importance of collaborative efforts to address the growing concern of overweight and obesity among young people in Côte d'Ivoire. With the support of organizations like UNICEF, the country is working to promote healthy lifestyles and provide young people with the knowledge and skills to make informed choices about their health and well-being.
Key points
- ROJNAD-CI organized a sports march to raise awareness about overweight and obesity among youth in Côte d'Ivoire.
- The event aimed to promote healthy lifestyles and provide education on nutrition and physical activity.
- Côte d'Ivoire is taking steps to address the growing concern of overweight and obesity among young people.
