A multidisciplinary approach, beginning at the school level, is required to curb rising cases of obesity among Bahrain’s adolescents, with 17 per cent of them suffering from the condition, a medic has said.
Internal medicine endocrinology, diabetes and obesity consultant and AGU assistant professor Dr Shaima Al Nashaba told the GDN that restrictions on processed food for school lunches, more physical activities and increased awareness about how to manage the condition were some of the strategies that could be implemented to create a healthier generation.
“Even though obesity is a well-known condition, we still have a lot to do, as we are seeing adolescence obesity rates rising, putting them at higher risk for various health issues including chronic diseases,” Dr Al Nashaba said on the sidelines of AGU’s Obesity conference, which concluded yesterday.
“According to the most recent data, obesity rates among Bahrain’s children and adolescents aged five to 19 is a staggering 17.2pc, and I believe to tackle this crisis, we need to start at the school level and work with government authorities to come up with a multidisciplinary approach that targets all groups of society.
“There should be more restrictions on school lunches and I have already brought up this concern with the Education Ministry.
“Not only should school canteens be serving higher-quality and nutritious meals, but children who bring a packed lunch to school should also be monitored to ensure they are eating nutrient-rich food instead of processed options.”
Dr Al Nashaba, the first Bahraini doctor to receive the ‘Early Career Forum’ from the Endocrine Society in the US, said most people do not understand that obesity is a long-term health condition that ‘does not just go away’.
The Early Career Forum is a prominent initiative organised by the Endocrine Society to support doctors and researchers at the early stages of their careers, and is granted to those who have distinguished themselves in the fields of endocrinology, diabetes and obesity.
“I see a lot of obese people in my practice who want a quick solution to lose weight,” she said, highlighting the importance of a holistic lifestyle change over diets that do not address the underlying cause of weight gain.
“Another issue is that people expect to see results quickly.
“People who have been overweight for a long time can find it more difficult to lose weight, even if they follow a healthy diet and exercise.
“Again, these are factors that should be taught in schools so that younger people are more aware about the consequences of being obese, as it can lead to other health conditions including diabetes that is very prevalent in Bahrain.”
Dr Al Nashaba added that the rise of fast food restaurants and microwaveable ready meals have not helped in reducing obesity rates.
“We have easy access to fast food now with food delivery apps making it more convenient and affordable than ever,” she said.
“It is also easier to choose fast food because it is cheaper. People can find it expensive to pick healthier options, which is why there should be some sort of incentive to encourage people to eat clean.”
In Bahrain, obesity has been recognised as a chronic disease, with a series of national-level plans and initiatives in place to tackle the condition. Currently, more than 36pc of the population is affected by it.
The kingdom launched a comprehensive National Action Plan for Prevention and Management of Overweight and Obesity 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 became the first Gulf nation to be listed by WHO, alongside 25 other countries, to accelerate progress towards reducing obesity.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
&uuid=(email))