‘Ugandan women preparing unhealthy foods to meet societal expectations driving up disease'

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Women in Uganda are preparing unhealthy foods to meet societal expectations, New Vision Online has learnt.

The women, according to a study, cook unhealthy food out of fear of sanctions like divorce or community stigma.

“Norms such as “tea without sugar is mistreatment” and “fried food is a sign of a good wife” pressure women to cook unhealthy meals, fearing sanctions like stigma, domestic violence, or marital breakdown. For men, consuming fatty and fried foods is tied to social status and respect”.

However, in attempting to respect their husbands and honour social norms/’status’, through these meals, the women are greatly contributing to the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases in the country. The Government of Uganda and partners'-funded study by Makerere University researchers was released on July 15, 2025 and published on BMJ Journals.

The qualitative study, part of a broader evaluation of health interventions, found that women frequently prioritise familial and communal approval over nutritional guidelines. For instance, ultra-processed foods high in sugar and fats are often favoured for their convenience and palatability, aligning with cultural ideals of hospitality.

“Most participants were aware that frequent consumption of fatty foods and sugary refined foods could increase one’s risk of getting T2D,” the study titled: Social Norms as Influencers of type 2 Diabetes Risk-taking Behaviours: A Qualitative Deep-Dive Diagnosis in Two High-Burden Districts in Uganda, says.

Role of limited exercise and stress

It also highlights the role limited exercise and stress play, on top of consuming foods high in sugar and fats, in compounding the risk of Type 2 diabetes.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) 2024 data show that nearly one third (31%) of adults worldwide, approximately 1.8 billion people, did not meet the recommended levels of physical activity in 2022. The findings point to a worrying trend of physical inactivity among adults, which has increased by about 5 percentage points between 2010 and 2022. 

"These new findings highlight a lost opportunity to reduce cancer and heart disease and improve mental health and well-being through increased physical activity," WHO director general Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said last year. "We must renew our commitment to increasing levels of physical activity and prioritising bold action, including strengthened policies and increased funding, to reverse this worrying trend.”

Physical inactivity is still more common among women globally compared with men, with inactivity rates of 34% compared to 29%, according to WHO.

The Makerere study authored by Juliet Kiguli, Joseph K. B. Matovu, Francis Xavier Kasujja, Joyce Nabaliisa, and Ramadhan Kirunda, with contributions from Gloria Naggayi, Junior Mike Wejuli, Tom Okade, Ninsiima Lesley Rose, Ali Halage, and Roy William Mayega, was conducted in Bugiri and Busia because they are high-burden districts of Type 2 diabetes.

The researchers acknowledged norms around staple food preferences and respect linked to weight as perpetuators of Type 2 diabetes risk behaviours. Community influencers, family dynamics and cultural traditions reinforce these practices, according to the study, which also calls for gender-transformative, culturally sensitive and community-centred interventions.

In a social media post, Makerere University said the researchers used the Social Norms Exploration Toolkit when they engaged 45 participants, including individuals with diabetes, caregivers, health workers, and community influencers.

The authors call for diabetes prevention strategies go beyond individual awareness campaigns. They call for family-centred, gender-sensitive interventions that address cultural drivers and empower women. Engaging cultural institutions, involving key influencers, and integrating social norms change into health promotion programs are critical steps to reducing risk".

What is Type 2 Diabetes?

In type 2 diabetes, the body develops resistance to insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood sugar levels.

Common symptoms of diabetes include:

1. Urinating often
   
   
2. Feeling very thirsty
   
   
3. Feeling very hungry, even though you are eating
   
   
4. Extreme fatigue
   
   
5. Blurry vision
   
   
6. Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
   
   
7. Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet 
   
   

People with Type 2 diabetes should treat the disease through healthy eating and exercise.