Social causes of diabesity in the Middle East
dubai — Despite the 2008 global economic downturn, the last decade had witnessed an unprecedented energy boom which has resulted in rapidly increasing wealth in the Middle East, particularly in the oil and gasrich Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
This exceptional growth in prosperity has put the UAE on the global map, but on the other side has also brought with it rapid changes in lifestyles that have resulted in a significant rise in chronic diseases. In particular, the number of people diagnosed with diabetes, obesity and what has now been identified by experts as ‘diabesity’ has increased dramatically.
Diabesity is a blended word combining diabetes and obesity to catch the attention that these troublesome diseases deserve. Obesity is just a visible sign of the changes taking place within our bodies.
According to the World Health Organisation Regional Office for Eastern Mediterranean, by 2025, the number of people with diabetes is expected to more than double in the region.
The economic growth in the past decade throughout the Mena region has directed more of the labour force towards the service sector and low physically active lifestyle.
“As a result of this change, we are witnessing an increase in cases of ‘diabesity’ in epidemic proportions globally, and particularly in the Mena region, which has the highest prevalence of diabetes in adults,” according to a health expert.
An overall lower standard of fitness of a country’s population not
The findings of this study will help us ensure that future generations of our country lead healthy and long lives.” Brigadier Dr Abdulla Al Naeemi, head of medical department, consultant cardiologist, Zayed Military Hospital
only increases the burden of healthcare costs, but indirectly adds to the cost due to more and more missed work hours by the adult population, coupled with the economic burden of loss of productivity.
Major drivers of this epidemic are demographic changes with increased life expectancy and lifestyle changes due to rapid urbanisation and industrialisation.
Last week, a nation-wide longterm study involving thousands of UAE nationals was initiated in Abu Dhabi to find the root causes of diabetes and ways to protect the young generation from the disease.
New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) launched the ‘UAE Healthy Future Study’ that will recruit 20,000 UAE nationals.
Brigadier Dr Abdulla Al Naeemi, head of medical department, consultant cardiologist, Zayed Military Hospital, said: “The latest figures on the number of diabetics in the UAE are so shocking and that’s why we have come up with this study to find out the root causes of the disease.
“The findings of this study will help us ensure that future generations of our country lead healthy and long lives.”
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com