6th edition of MaBEST: Promoting physical activity and a healthy diet among women retailers in Adidogomé Assiyéyé

---

Extract from the article: In a working environment as demanding as that of the markets, walking is much more than a simple physical activity. It has become a real tool for well-being, enabling women traders to look after their health, relieve stress and strengthen their sense

---

In a working environment as demanding as that of the markets, walking is much more than a simple physical activity. It has become a real tool for well-being, enabling women traders to look after their health, relieve stress and strengthen their sense of solidarity. Having understood the harmful effects of a sedentary lifestyle on well-being, Santé-Éducation organised a sports walk for the women traders of Adiddogomé Assiyéyé on 18 December 2024. The theme of the event was ‘Let's walk for our health’. The aim is to help promote physical activity and sport among the population, particularly among women traders. The walk was accompanied by an awareness-raising session led by Ginette Ayawa Hounkpè, Nutritionist, and Dr Damien Ekoué-Kouvahey, Sports Doctor.

Women shopkeepers, dressed in sportswear, gathered in the heart of the market have practisedf the sports walk. The aim is to educate and encourage these women to understand the importance of walking for their health. They walked around the market for around twenty minutes. Ezan Eya Mawussi, an onion trader, underlined the importance of this moment by inviting women traders to make walking part of their daily routine. « Women traders suffer from back pain, chronic fatigue and heavy legs.They're exhausted after sitting for days on end.So brisk walking is a real ally for our health.I'm very pleased with this initiative.We need to make this simple but beneficial activity part of our daily routine».

Walking for health and well-being

In Togo, the prevalence of obesity is 5% in rural areas and 18% in urban areas.  These figures confirm the data collected by Santé-Education during the hypertension and BMI screening session carried out at the 5th edition of the Marché du Bien-Être et de la Santé au Togo (MaBEST) in September 2023, among women vendors at the Assiyéyé market in Agoè-Nyivé.It revealed that 90% of these women were overweight or obese to the first degree.It's a real «time bomb». « The 6th edition of MaBEST aims to contribute to the Togolese government's initiative to promote physical activity and sport as an effective means of preventing and treating illness, particularly among women.   This event is also an opportunity to raise women's awareness of non-communicable diseases. The role, leadership and resilience of women in the face of health problems and health promotion is a real approach of this 6th edition of MaBEST. The aim is to get women involved in health issues at three levels: prevention, treatment and involvement», says Gadiel Tsonyadzi, Chairman of the organising committee for the 6th MaBEST.

The sedentary lifestyle of women shopkeepers has a direct impact on their health. «The lack of regular physical activity, combined with long hours spent in static or semi-static positions, can lead to musculoskeletal pain, including backache, leg pain and knee pain. What's more, this lack of movement increases the risk of chronic illnesses such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. As well as toning the body and relieving muscle and joint pain, walking helps to reduce stress and anxiety, often linked to the hectic pace of the working day.Endorphins, the feel-good hormones released during physical effort, help to improve mood and boost energy levels.That's why raising awareness of the importance of being more active has become essential to preserving their long-term health.We need to learn to walk again», explained Dr Damien Ekoué-Kouvahey.

Revisiting your diet

Women shopkeepers spend long hours under the sun or in the shade of the awnings of their stalls. Their busy schedules, often punctuated by dawn shifts, leave them little time to prepare balanced meals. «Many of them eat mainly fast food or products that aren't very nutritious, because they don't have the time or resources to cook.As a result, their diet is often unbalanced, high in fat, sugar and salt, which can lead to obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. They need to give preference to fruit and vegetables in their diet. They need to eat and, above all, spend their excess calories, and especially how to mix them to get more nutrients. We need to encourage them to eat a balanced diet, and adopt healthy eating habits», explained Ginette Ayawa Hounkpè.

Raising awareness of nutrition among women traders is much more than a question of individual health: it affects collective health, the local economy and social well-being.They need to become and be active players in their own health, while playing an active part in promoting healthier, sustainable food.

William O.