Pondering on a Pandemic

One of the most common sights in GCC is obesity among nationals. Obesity perhaps surpasses any kind of health ailments characteristic of GCC – and could also be the contributing factor for higher diabetes, heart problems, high blood pressure, stroke and some forms of cancer. Yesterday’s articles in Gulf News and 7Days indicate that it is now a worldwide trend. And as reported here, nearly 1/3^rd of men in England will be obese by 2010 in Britain!

Of particular interest to us is UAE! Overall, 60% of Emiratis are estimated to be overweight, and over 38% of married Emirati women are obese! Another national study indicated that frequency of obesity among UAE youth is 2-3 times greater than the international standard! Further, a research team from UAE University found in 2004 that one-in-six school girls aged 5-14 in Al Ain were obese.

Often looking at the extent of left-over food in various restaurants and food joints, could give you some clues on perhaps the most important reason for obesity. Dr Abdul Ghaffar Al Hawi, chairman of Emirates Medical Association once commented that abundance of all-you-can -eat-and-drink buffets, have trained UAE residents to seek more food for their money – thus leading to obesity.

Three main causes identified were:
1) Diet: Young Emiratis eat more and more high-carbohydrate, high-fat burgers and pizzas in fast-food restaurants
2) Lifestyle: Due to cheaper expat work force, many Emiratis now have sedentary jobs, and do not exercise regularly
3) Education. Lack of education and awareness and attitude to food often lead to over-consumption.

Is there any solution for this increasingly serious health issue?
A few solutions I could think of are:

1) Compulsory physical sports programs for all students – aimed to develop young sports professionals in the country. An active and compulsory sports curriculum sharply reduces sedentary lifestyles

2) Arresting growth of Internet / Video Game parlours. Most gamers in these parlours tend to grow overweight.

3) Building more sports stadiums / clubs offering sports training opportunities for all ages and levels. (Instead of being taken over for construction of new cities)

4) Programs to attract young grads to take up lucrative careers involving physical / manual activities

5) Arresting growth of or controlling the menus in fast-food joints

Finally, I believe that it’s important to properly disseminate knowledge on obesity to children, youth and parents. A higher degree general awareness would lead to eradication of the same.

Any more ideas?

Some useful Links:
1) Abu Dhabi Men's College on obesity
2) Cause and Effect essay on Obesity.
3) Obesity amongst Al Ain women
4) Obesity in Saudi Arabia.
5) Prevalence of Obesity in the Saudi Population
6) Article on how to treat obesity.
7) How to solve the problem of teenage obesity
8) List of Obesity related articles in Gulf News

Image courtesy : www.sochealth.co.uk

Technorati :Behaviour. Community. Culture. Emiratis. Health. Obesity. Pandemic. Research. Society. Strategy