UAE: Obesity among children causes alarm
Source: Middle East Insurance Review | Oct 2018
Obesity among youngsters is rising drastically in the UAE, alarming doctors who call on parents to be vigilant about what they are feeding their children.
Dr Aysha W Mahmoud, paediatrics specialist at Bareen International Hospital, told Khaleej Times that while there has been no robust study on obesity in general in the UAE, research on obesity in the GCC reveals that the percentage of obesity is around 36%, slightly higher than the US percentage, which is around 30%.
There are no data currently on obesity among the young, she said, pointing out the need for such data to be analysed and revealed to the general public in order to raise awareness and educate families about the dangers of obesity.
“The side effects of obesity will stay with the child throughout his life, even if he loses the weight later. The risk of developing deadly diseases cannot be changed,” she said. These include cardiovascular diseases, high cholesterol, diabetes, skin problems, liver problems, joint problems, high blood pressure, as well as stroke.
Dr Mahmoud said that out of the 700-850 young patients she sees every month, around 15-20% are overweight or clinically obese and they mainly constitute Emiratis.
What’s more alarming for the doctor is that around 80% of these children have parents who are also overweight or obese.
On a positive note, the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Ministry of Education are working together to ensure children are being fed nutritious meals in UAE schools. M