The Silent Killer on Our Men’s Plates: Addressing the Trans Fat Crisis in Ibadan

Apr 1, 2026 | Healthy Tips

In the bustling markets and vibrant streets of Ibadan, a silent health crisis is unfolding, one that directly threatens the lives of our men. As an organisation based here in Oyo State, we are on the front line of the battle against non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly hypertension and diabetes. Every day, we witness a disturbing trend: today, men—especially young adults with bright futures, careers, and families—are dying daily from preventable health issues directly linked to the consumption of trans fats.

This is not just a health issue; it is a crisis that is robbing our community of its fathers, brothers, and leaders.

Trans fats, or trans-fatty acids, are the most dangerous type of fat for the human heart and vascular system. They are primarily created in an industrial process that adds hydrogen to liquid vegetable oils to make them more solid. For food vendors and producers, this is a cheap and attractive option because it increases the shelf life and flavour stability of foods.

In Ibadan, common sources of industrially produced trans fats include:

Reused Frying Oils! Oils are used repeatedly to fry popular staples like akara (bean cakes), puff-puff, boli (roasted plantain) with groundnut oil, and doughnuts sold by roadside vendors.

Margarines and Vegetable Shortenings! Often used in baked goods like bread, cakes, and pastries sold in local bakeries.

Packaged Snacks? Some commercially fried snacks and fast foods.

Our work at the Rays of Hope Support Initiative has highlighted a critical and concerning pattern: the devastating impact of trans fats is not gender-neutral.

While women are not completely immune, their natural hormonal makeup, particularly oestrogen, offers a degree of protection by helping to regulate cholesterol levels and fat distribution. This biological advantage, however, is not shared by men.

The male body is particularly vulnerable. In our screenings across Ibadan, we have observed that the majority of our men tend to develop visceral fat—the dangerous fat that accumulates deep within the abdomen, wrapping around their internal organs. This is the direct consequence of a diet high in trans fats. This central obesity is a ticking time bomb, leading to a cascade of life-threatening complications:

Trans fats wreak havoc on a man’s lipid profile. They raise “bad” cholesterol (LDL) and lower “good” cholesterol (HDL). They also significantly increase triglycerides, another type of fat in the blood that hardens arteries.

Also, the build-up of cholesterol and triglycerides doesn’t just sit idly on our body. It forms plaque, leading to the narrowing and hardening of our arteries (atherosclerosis)—”a sure path to hypertension”. The heart is then forced to pump blood through these constricted pathways, leading to dangerously high blood pressure (hypertension)—a condition we see daily at our centre.

Visceral fat is not inert; it acts like an active organ, releasing inflammatory substances that make the body’s cells resistant to insulin. This insulin resistance is a direct precursor to high blood sugar and type 2 diabetes, creating a perfect storm where a man is now managing two or more debilitating NCDs simultaneously.

The result is a preventable tragedy—a young man in his 30s or 40s, a provider for his family, suffers a sudden heart attack or stroke or is diagnosed with advanced kidney disease from uncontrolled hypertension and diabetes. Hmmm!

Addressing this crisis requires a multi-pronged approach, from individual lifestyle changes to systemic action by authorities. 

Here is what needs to be done:

For Individuals and Families:

Dietary Overhaul:

• Minimise the consumption of foods fried in oil that has been used repeatedly. Be mindful of the deep golden-brown colour of repeatedly heated oil used for frying akara and puff-puff.
• When buying packaged foods, look for “partially hydrogenated oils” on the ingredient list—this is a direct indicator of trans fats.
• At home, use healthier oils like olive, soybean, or palm oil in moderation, and avoid heating them to the smoking point.
• Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. This could be a brisk walk around your neighbourhood, cycling, or engaging in local group sports. Exercise is the most effective way to burn visceral fat.
• Do not wait for symptoms. As an organisation working within the NCDs healthcare space, we cannot overemphasise the importance of regular check-ups. Know your numbers: blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels. Early detection is the only way to intervene before complications arise.
• If diagnosed with hypertension or diabetes, it’s not a death sentence but a lifelong condition that requires consistent management. Take your medication exactly as prescribed by a healthcare professional. Do not stop when you feel better; consult your doctor and dietitian first.

To our government (Oyo State and Federal):

Nigeria must implement and enforce a trans fat ban by leading other nations in setting a legal limit for industrially produced trans fat in all foods.

Enforce strict quality controls on the production and sale of cooking oils to prevent adulteration and promote healthier options.

Launch mass media campaigns (radio, TV, town criers) in local languages to educate the public, especially men, about the dangers of trans fats, using culturally relevant examples like akara and puff-puff.

To our healthcare centres and authorities:

Every consultation for hypertension or diabetes must include practical, actionable advice on avoiding trans fats. We are asking for integrated dietary counselling.

Equip community health workers and nurses with the knowledge to counsel patients on healthy cooking practices and food choices.

Improve the tracking and reporting of NCDs to the appropriate quarters so as to better understand the scope of the problem.

To organisations working within the health care space:

We must continue to take our services to the markets, motor parks, and communities, meeting men where they are to check their blood pressure and blood sugar.

Develop programmes specifically for men, focusing on the link between their diet (e.g., the oil in their favourite local foods) and their future health. Use relatable language and peer-to-peer influence.

We must collectively raise our voices to urge the government for stricter regulations on trans fats. We are the voice for the communities we serve.

Create and facilitate support groups for men living with hypertension and diabetes, providing a space for shared learning and encouragement.

The fight against trans fats is a fight for the future of our men in Ibadan and Nigeria. Through awareness, lifestyle change, and strong advocacy, we can reverse this trend and ensure that our young men live to fulfil their promising futures.

Diabetes Management and Health Protection

Apr 1, 2026 | Healthy Tips

Hello, ROHSI Community! When we talk about diabetes, it’s important to know what can happen if our blood sugar is not well managed. Having too much sugar in our blood for a long time can slowly damage our blood vessels and nerves. This can lead to other health problems.

But please, don’t be afraid! These problems are not something that will definitely happen to you. There is a lot we can do to prevent them. By taking our medication as prescribed and building good daily habits, we can keep our diabetes under control and stay healthy.

What Happens When Diabetes Is Not Controlled?

Think of high blood sugar as something that can quietly affect many parts of our body. Here’s what we need to watch out for:

• Our Eyes! High blood sugar can make it harder to see and can even lead to blindness. It can cause problems like:
  • Cataracts! Cataract surgery is when the lens of our eye becomes cloudy, like looking through a dirty window.
  • Glaucoma! This damages the nerve that connects our eye to our brain.
  • Retinopathy! This is damage to the back part of our eye (the retina).
• Our Heart! Over time, high blood sugar can harm the blood vessels and nerves that control our heart. This makes us more likely to have heart disease, a heart attack, or a stroke. If we also have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, the risk is even higher.
• Our kidneys! Our kidneys are like filters for our body. Diabetes can damage the tiny blood vessels in these filters, making them work less effectively. After many years, if the damage is severe, the kidneys can stop working altogether.
• Our Feet! High blood sugar can slow down blood flow and cause nerve damage in our feet. This is very dangerous because:
  • You might not feel pain from a cut, blister, or sore.
  • Because of poor blood flow, these small injuries can heal very slowly and become infected easily.
  • If a bad infection cannot be treated, it might lead to a doctor having to remove a toe, a foot, or part of the leg.
• Our Nerves! When high blood sugar damages our nerves (this is called diabetic neuropathy), it can cause pain, tingling, or numbness. This is most common in the hands and feet.
• Our Skin! Diabetes can make us more likely to have dry, itchy skin, yeast infections, or dark, scaly patches on the skin.
• Erection Problems for Men! High blood sugar damages the blood flow and nerves needed for a man to get and keep an erection. This is a common problem for men with diabetes.

What Can We Do to Stay Safe?

The good news is that we have a lot of power to protect ourselves. By making these simple steps a part of our daily life, we can greatly lower our risk of these problems.

Control Your Blood Sugar! This is the most important thing you can do. Aim to keep your numbers within a healthy range. Check your sugar as your doctor advises and try to keep it

• Between 70 and 130 mg/dL before meals.
• Less than 180 mg/dL two hours after a meal.
• Your A1C (which shows your average blood sugar over 3 months) should be below 7%.

Watch Your Blood Pressure and Cholesterol! High blood pressure and cholesterol are a dangerous mix with diabetes. Work with your doctor to keep them under control, which might include taking medication. A good target is to keep your blood pressure below 140/90 and your total cholesterol at or below 200.

See Your Doctor Regularly! Don’t wait until you feel sick. Regular checkups are vital because many diabetes problems start without any warning signs. Your doctor can test your blood, urine, and eyes to catch any issues early.

Don’t smoke! Smoking is very bad for your blood flow and raises your blood pressure, making diabetes complications much worse. If you smoke, ask your doctor for help to quit. It’s the best thing you can do for your health.

Protect Your Eyes! Get your eyes checked by a professional at least once a year. They can look for early signs of damage and start treatment right away.

Check Your Feet Every Day! Make this a habit!

• Look for any cuts, sores, blisters, redness, or swelling, especially between your toes and on the bottom of your feet.
• Wash your feet daily with warm (not hot) water and dry them carefully, especially between the toes.
• Apply lotion to keep the skin soft and prevent cracks, but not between the toes.
• Always wear shoes to protect your feet, even at home. Never walk barefoot on hot ground or at the beach.
• Trim your toenails straight across and file the edges gently.
• Always test bathwater with your hand or elbow first to avoid burning your feet.

Take Care of Your Skin:

• Keep your skin clean and dry, especially in areas like your armpits.
• Use talcum powder to prevent rubbing and chafing.
• Avoid very hot baths and strong, drying soaps.
• Use body lotion to keep your skin from getting too dry and cracking.

Let’s take these steps together, for ourselves and for our community. We can live well with diabetes! Also, we need to remember that many diabetes problems don’t shout; they creep in quietly. This is why regular checkups at the clinic are your best defence!

Courtesy: WebMD and Rays of Hope Support Initiative (ROHSI)