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Obesity and gastrointestinal diseases on the rise in UAE

ABU DHABI, UAE, September 1, 2014

Obesity has been recognised as a serious health issue in the UAE and the Middle East with recent statistics showing more than 66 per cent of men and 60 per cent of women are overweight or obese.

The UAE ranks as the fifth fattest nation in the world, ranking behind other developed countries such as USA, Kuwait, and Qatar, according to a recent study published by a BMC Public Health journal.

The report notes that an average adult in the UAE and Qatar consumes over 3000 calories per day, almost 20 per cent above the average. The recommended daily calorie consumption for adult men should be 2500 calories while woman should consume 2000 calories.

Obesity in the UAE stems from many factors:

  • High temperatures: An extremely hot temperature in the UAE limits the outdoor activities. People sit in front of TV, read books, browse internet etc. for entertainment as it is too hot outside. Sitting is a major cause of obesity as opposed to outdoor activity.
  • Junk food: The limitless and expanding Fast food chains across the UAE do not help people make better food choices.
  • Clothing: In most Arab countries, people wear Abaya’s, Kaftan’s and loose fitting dresses, so they are not being conscious of the increasing fat in their bodies. A fat tummy is more visible in tight clothes.
  • Status symbol: Most people fall into the trap of believing that fat tummies symbolise success and wealth. In reality, it only shows laziness and lack of interest towards one’s health.
  • Less hours of sleep and stress: Over the years, UAE has become increasingly dynamic, fast-paced and engaged in setting new trends in this cosmopolitan and growing market. This creates a highly demanding environment which leads to stress and lack of sleep among its residents.

Obesity conditions are linked to a host of medical issues including those related to digestive health. Gastrointestinal diseases involve the organs in the digestive system – oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine and rectum, and the accessory organs of digestions, the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.  More often than not, digestive problems are due to low fibre diets, lack of exercise, eating large amounts of food and dairy products, the report said.

Dr Atul Chawla,  specialist – gastroenterology at Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi, recognises obesity as an issue with a strong correlation to gastrointestinal diseases and needs immediate attention due to the increasing incidence. “Obesity is an issue that can affect UAE’s development as a nation and needs to be managed immediately and effectively. Acid reflux, Irritable bowel disorder, ulcerative colitis as a result of obesity conditions are also on the rise not only in the country, but in the whole region as well.  With around 10 to 20 per cent of the population now suffering from these conditions, one of the main causes is obesity. It’s an issue that requires multidisciplinary medical attention including a full-fledged team of professionals including physicians, dieticians and trainers working together to achieve the desired goal.” – TradeArabia News Service




Tags: UAE | Obesity |

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