Obesity has become a
major problem in the UAE. Over 60% of Emirati nationals are overweight and this
figure is expected to rise. The number of overweight or obese adults and
children has continued to increase and is a trend that is not slowing down.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it is predicted that there
will be over 2.3 billion overweight and 700 million obese individuals by 2015.
Obesity affects not only the individual but also the country that they live in too. The biggest effect is for the individual, as being overweight or obese can lead to heart disease, diabetes and many other health issues. Life expectancy is reduced by as much as 10-12 years for people that are morbidly obese. For people who are obese, it is inevitable that their quality of life suffers, as it is difficult to enjoy exercise or to move around freely. Another consequence is the lack of self-esteem. This can lead to depression, eating disorders and crash diets.
Another consequence of obesity is that the country of residence is also affected due to the fact it becomes very expensive for the government to provide advanced medical care such as heart transplants or other healthcare provision for certain individuals.
Obesity affects not only the individual but also the country that they live in too. The biggest effect is for the individual, as being overweight or obese can lead to heart disease, diabetes and many other health issues. Life expectancy is reduced by as much as 10-12 years for people that are morbidly obese. For people who are obese, it is inevitable that their quality of life suffers, as it is difficult to enjoy exercise or to move around freely. Another consequence is the lack of self-esteem. This can lead to depression, eating disorders and crash diets.
Another consequence of obesity is that the country of residence is also affected due to the fact it becomes very expensive for the government to provide advanced medical care such as heart transplants or other healthcare provision for certain individuals.
|
Height
|
Obesity Point
|
||
|
Ft/inches
|
Meters
|
Pounds
|
Kilos
|
|
4.10
4.11 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 5.10 5.11 6.0 |
1.47m
1.50m 1.52m 1.55m 1.57m 1.60m 1.63m 1.65m 1.68m 1.70m 1.73m 1.75m 1.78m 1.80m 1.83m |
143 pounds
148 pounds 153 pounds 159 pounds 164 pounds 169 pounds 175 pounds 180 pounds 186 pounds 191 pounds 197 pounds 203 pounds 209 pounds 215 pounds 221 pounds |
65.0kg
67.3kg 69.5kg 72.3kg 74.5kg 76.8kg 79.5kg 81.8kg 84.5kg 86.8kg 89.5kg 92.3kg 95.0kg 97.7kg 100.4kg |
Cultural Influences of Obesity in UAE
Traditional dress in the Middle East is a contributing factor of obesity due to the wearing of loose, flowing garments such as the dish-dash or abayas. Excess weight gained goes relatively unnoticed as they are not wearing close fitting garments such as jeans or shirts. Often when clothes become tight, it signals a warning to control calorie intake but this may not occur if there are no limiting factors.
Due to extremely high weather temperatures up to 50 degrees, for a large part of the year, outdoor activities may be limited and therefore entertainment is often provided at home sat in front of the television. Inactivity and boredom can lead to excessive calorie consumption resulting in weight gain. In this climate, cars are used frequently to drive very short distances and exercise is not undertaken.
Being overweight is widely perceived in Arab countries, as well as African and Mediterranean countries, as being a sign of good health and financial success. In order to be effective, any strategies to promote health and prevent lifestyle-driven health conditions such as diabetes must challenge important socio-cultural obstacles.
Many religious occasions, such as fasting for Ramadan and the subsequent celebrations at the end of Ramadan, bring about altered eating habits. For Ramadan, Muslims fast for the Holy Month of Ramadan which may predispose to overeating leading up to the fasting month.
Much Success and Good Health,
THANK YOU AND WISH YOU ALL THE SUCCESS FROM
:>MAKELIFEBETTER TEAM UAE
Email : providenceworks@hotmail.com
