**3. Urbanization**

Urbanization involves the mass migration of persons from rural to urban area and/or urbanization. Historically, urbanization was associated with human development and progress; however, recently it is associated with significant inequalities and health problems [15]. Some of the major health problems resulting from urbanization include poor nutrition, pollution-related health conditions and communicable diseases, poor sanitation and housing conditions, and related health conditions. All these challenges have an impact on quality of life, health status, and overall well-being resulting in the necessity for more cost of care burdening the public purse [15, 16]. Conversely, rural areas have been progressively urbanized and realizing similar health challenges. In Africa, the rural people have due to urbanization abandoned the traditional way of living including healthy eating and physical activity [17]. Reports show that incidences of cardiovascular diseases began to increase with increasing urbanization in Africa [17]. As such, there is a need to encourage communities to embrace urbanization, emulate good things it brings, and at the same time restore the way of life which was more beneficial to their health.

Obesity is most prevalent in urban areas and has become public health problem, particularly because obesity is associated with CVDs [18]. However, obesity is also increasing in rural areas due to urbanization, hence the increase of prevalence of CVDs and its death rates. Obesity threat is increasing because of unhealthy behaviors such as increased physical inactivity, and consumption of fatty food, and sugar intake [15].
