I watched the recent live broadcast of newly elected members on their first day in the Tanzanian parliament and noticed that some appeared unhealthily overweight. Obesity-related illnesses pose serious health risks, and while for ordinary citizens this may remain a private concern, for elected officials it becomes a public issue that should worry everyone.
Obesity is not simply a matter of choice. Some people are genetically more prone to weight gain; others burn fewer calories at rest. Limited dietary knowledge means many eat whatever is placed in front of them, often without realising its impact. Certain medical conditions and medications also contribute to weight gain, making obesity a complex issue with multiple causes.
Environmental and lifestyle factors, which we can influence, add another layer. These include consuming high-calorie foods, eating large portions, and leading physically inactive lives—conditions that often define an MP’s work environment. Culture, too, plays a role. Instead of worrying that rapid weight gain may signal an unhealthy future, we sometimes interpret it as a sign of prosperity or a good life.
The health consequences of obesity include hypertension, joint problems, type 2 diabetes, skin rashes, and increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. These range from discomfort to hospitalisation or even death in office, triggering a costly by-election. Democracy is expensive, but we should still take deliberate steps to reduce avoidable, mid-term electoral expenses linked to preventable health conditions.
If the suggestions I offer sound trivial or excessive, think of them as measures any employer — in this case, the taxpayer — would take to ensure that an expensive employee, the member of parliament, remains productive and delivers results. MPs shoulder national responsibilities, and safeguarding their health is part of protecting that investment.
One place to begin is by creating a database that records each member’s weight at swearing-in and again at the end of the term. Using the average Tanzanian weight of 60 to 65 kilograms, the combined weight of all MPs exceeds 25 tons. The question worth asking is this: by the time they sign off in 2030, will the House collectively show a gain or a loss? Tracking such changes could help identify early health risks and inform timely interventions.
Reforms to long parliamentary sitting hours could also support healthier habits and allow room for movement. Parliament should also ensure it has nutritionists and counsellors to advise on healthy diets, alongside fitness experts who can guide MPs on improving and maintaining their physical wellbeing.
Leaders of some of Tanzania’s donor countries already cycle to work. A prime minister doing the same — even behind his security entourage — could set a powerful example and encourage MPs to take their own fitness seriously.
A healthier parliament is a matter of public interest, public finance, and national well-being.
