Obesity continues to be a major health concern in the Gulf region, a series of international studies have indicated, highlighting the urgent need for awareness and action, coinciding with World Obesity Day today.
And, the accumulation of an excessive amount of body fat can cause type 2 diabetes, and the risk increases linearly with an increase in body mass index. Accordingly, the worldwide increase in the prevalence of obesity has led to a concomitant increase in the prevalence of the disease.
A Bahrain-based expert spotlighted the highest prevalence of overweight people and obesity globally was found in the Gulf region, while pointing to the latest data from Bahrain’s National Health Survey, dated 2018, revealed that around 26 per cent of residents were obese and 40pc overweight.
Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). A body mass index over 25 is considered overweight, and over 30 is obese. Overweight and obesity result from an imbalance of energy intake (diet) and energy expenditure (physical activity).
“Aggressive weight loss goals, unrealistic weight loss plans without understanding body composition, too much or insufficient exercise, poor lifestyle choices and short-term changes leading to rebound weight gain are common practices,” American Mission Hospital clinical dietitian Abigail David told the GDN, talking about trends that she has observed among patients in Bahrain.
“Eating large amounts of processed fast foods, eating out a lot, eating a larger portion than you need, comfort eating and eating too many sugary foods are common causes of obesity.
“Changes in society have made it more difficult to have a healthy diet. High calorie food has become cheaper and more convenient, and is heavily advertised and promoted,” she added, indicating a need for systemic change.
This year, World Obesity Day, a unified day of action that calls for a cohesive, cross-sector response to the obesity crisis, is shining a spotlight on the systems that shape our health such as healthcare, government policies, food environments, media coverage and workplaces.
In Bahrain, obesity has been recognised as a serious chronic disease, with a series of national-level plans and initiatives in place to tackle the condition.
The kingdom launched a comprehensive National Action Plan for Prevention and Management of Overweight and Obesity back in 2005, following which it established the first public nutrition clinic in Muharraq, a move that paved the way for other public and private nutrition clinics.
In 2022, Bahrain was the first Gulf nation to be listed by WHO, alongside 25 other countries, to accelerate progress towards reducing obesity.
Ms David
Citing the 2019-2030 National Action Plan for Control and Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Ms David highlighted that the kingdom aims to achieve a 25 per cent relative reduction in risk of premature mortality from diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, or chronic respiratory diseases among adults aged 30 to 70 years by this year.
Obesity can lead to non-communicable diseases, including diabetes, heart problems, stroke and some forms of cancer, which are collectively responsible for 74pc of deaths worldwide and are the leading cause of deaths in Bahrain.
A report entitled ‘Obesity in Bahrain’, authored by Haya Alkhayyat of Bahrain Royal Medical Services and dating 2023, has brought to the forefront the high prevalence of the disease among children and adolescents living in Gulf countries.
A chart showing latest comparitive percentages in obesity, featured in the Obesity in Bahrain report
In Bahrain, obesity is on the rise even in children under five, with high chances of them carrying the excess weight into adulthood, thus putting them at a higher risk for various health issues, including chronic diseases.
Recognising the need to start early, Bahrain announced the Food Canteen List, which clearly lists the items that are permitted to be sold in school cafeterias, like fresh fruit and those that are prohibited such as soft drinks and potato chips.
Conditionally allowed foods must comply with certain criteria, such as not using trans-fats, using low fat cheese instead of cream cheese for sandwiches and limiting portion size.
The percentage of children and adolescents living with obesity increased four-fold, from two to eight per cent globally, from 1990 to 2022.
Bahrain continues to encourage physical activity and healthy diets. The GDN previously reported that 190 parks and walkways have been built on an area of 1,818,968sqm across the kingdom, with the latest Hamad Town Walkway being inaugurated during Bahrain Sports Day last month. Many of these parks have exercise equipment installed as well.
“Increase your steps to 7,000 per day and walk your way to better health. Lifestyle modifications can change the pattern of chronic diseases development and progression, which includes healthy eating, exercise, not smoking and improving sleep,” Ms David advised.
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