KIGALI– The number of obese people in Rwanda has increased from 14 percent in 2013 to 18.6 percent in 2022, according to the latest government survey released Friday. This is contained in findings from the second Rwanda Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) Risk Factors Survey, released by the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) in the Rwandan capital of Kigali. The increase in obesity was more observed among women rising from 19 percent to 26 percent during the period, the survey findings showed. Releasing the findings, Francois Uwinkindi, division manager of the NCDs Division at the RBC, said about half of the people with obesity are suffering from high blood pressure. He said more interventions targeting women, especially in Kigali, will be strengthened in terms of early detection and making sure people are put on treatment in time. Uwinkindi called for regular screening and physical exercises coupled with healthy eating to prevent the risks of NCDs. He added that community awareness will be strengthened using different communication channels on NCDs as well as strengthening the healthcare system for early detection of NCDs. "The findings will be instrumental in improving the overall well-being of our population and combating the challenges posing non-communicable diseases," he said.