More than 60% of the insured people in Oman overweight

More than 60 per cent of people insured in Oman are overweight, new research has shown.

A lack of physical activity, poor diet and bad lifestyle choices are to blame for 62 per cent of the insured population being overweight, according to a study compiled by the Oman Insurance Company (OIC).

Results showed that 66 per cent of Indians and 70 per cent of Pakistanis were overweight, as well as 54 per cent of Filipinos. Within the male population, 67 per cent were overweight compared to 59 per cent overweight females.

The link between physical activity and weight was reflected through this analysis. While 19 per cent of the people in the healthy weight group said they don’t exercise even for 2.5 hours a week, the number rose to 27 per cent for the overweight population.

“Knowing that a person is overweight is the first step to take charge of his/her health condition,” said Dr Yasser Khalifa, head of medical insurance at OIC.

“Unfortunately, a majority of the overweight population is still unaware of its health condition as the survey revealed that only 20 per cent of overweight respondents have been diagnosed for this condition by doctors. Being overweight is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as strokes, diabetes and some cancers of the kidney and breast, among others.”