Pakistanis top the scales as obesity continues to blight UAE society

Up to two thirds of the UAE population is overweight, a study suggests.

A survey by the Oman Insurance Company found men were more likely to top the scales, while Pakistani residents were more overweight than other nationalities.

Data from 3,000 customers who responded to an online health-risk assessment suggested 62 per cent of people in the UAE may be overweight.

But 43 per cent of those in this category in the survey still “felt good about themselves”, compared with 53 per cent of those with a normal body mass index.

Dr Sapna Chandran, head of clinical governance at the insurance company, said the findings were unnerving.

“It was not expected that customers were OK with their weight,” she said. “They were happy with it and weren’t interested in joining the gym or in any weight-loss programme.

“When we told them that they needed to exercise to prevent medical complications later on in life, they responded by saying, ‘But we don’t have any problems now’.”

Obesity in the UAE is an increasingly common problem. Poor diet and a lack of exercise has caused rates of type 2 diabetes to soar.

In 2016, diabetes was the seventh most common cause of premature death in the Emirates, rising from 11th in 2005.

And data from the World Obesity Federation suggests 15 per cent of people below the age of 20 in the UAE will be obese by 2025.

The World Health Organisation expects this to include up to half a million school-age children.

Experts consider a person to be overweight if their BMI is between 25 and 30. Those with a BMI of 30 and above are deemed obese.

The research by the Oman Insurance Company also found different nationalities appeared to be more overweight than others.

The study found 70 per cent of Pakistanis were overweight, compared with 66 per cent of Indians and 54 per cent of Filipinos.

Only 37 per cent of those classed as overweight said they had taken steps to address the problem.

Dr Mohammed Al Hadad, head of bariatric and metabolic surgery at Healthpoint, an Abu Dhabi healthcare provider, said obesity rates were increasing globally, but that the highest rates were in the GCC.

“The figures are very scary and require immediate action on all levels,” he said. “Obesity is a chronic disease and must be tackled during childhood.”