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28 March 2024

Putting on weight in UAE? 5 reasons to blame

Published
By Staff

Obesity has been recognized 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 including children and adults in the UAE are overweight or obese.

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

An average adult in the UAE and Qatar consumes over 3,000 calories per day, almost 20 per cent above the average. The recommended daily calorie consumption for adult men should be 2,500 calories while woman should consume 2,000 calories per day.

Unhealthy lifestyle, hot weather, over eating, and lack of physical activity are some of the major contributors of the rising incident rates.  It is expected that by end of 2015, there may be 2.3 billion overweight people in the UAE.

If we dig a bit deeper, there are five main reasons behind the increasing obesity levels in the UAE.

1# High temperatures

Extremely hot temperatures in the UAE limit outdoor activities. People sit in front of the 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.

2# Junk food

The limitless and expanding fast food chains across the UAE do not help people make better food choices.

3# Clothing

In most Arab countries, people wear Abaya’s, Kaftan’s and loose fitting dresses, so they are not conscious of the increasing fat in their bodies. A fat tummy is more visible in tight clothes.

4# Status symbol

Most people fall into the trap of believing that fat tummies symbolize success and wealth. In reality, it only shows laziness and lack of interest towards one’s health.

5# Less hours of sleep and stress

Over the years, the 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 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,” says Dr. Atul Chawla, Specialist – Gastroenterology at Burjeel Hospital, Abu Dhabi.