BAHRAIN continues to battle high rates of obesity among its citizens, with experts hoping to see a decline in the next five to 10 years owing to its effective national strategies.
According to the latest statistics, a third of the nation’s citizens aged above 18 are overweight, while 42.8 per cent are obese.
The 2018 National Health Survey estimated higher levels of obesity among citizens compared with non-Bahrainis – 76pc versus 65.5pc.
More Bahraini men were found to be overweight compared with women (36pc versus 29.7pc) while more Bahraini women fell under the obese category compared with men (47.2pc versus 39.2pc).
According to World Health Organisation, adults with a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 25 are overweight, while those with BMI greater than or equal to 30 are obese.
BMI – a person’s weight (kg) divided by the square of his height (m) – is commonly used to classify overweight and obesity in adults.
Speaking to the GDN ahead of World Obesity Day marked globally today, Supreme Council for Health chairman and Bahrain Diabetes Society (BDS) chairman Lieutenant General Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa emphasised that awareness was the ‘only strategy’ for combating the condition.
“A lot of people seek ways to lose weight after becoming obese and they resort to drastic procedures like weight loss surgeries,” said the senior medic.
“I believe it would have been better if they had grown up learning the value of exercise, healthy eating and lifestyle.
“The problem is that in today’s Covid-19 scenario, activities are restricted, particularly among the younger generation, and we are seeing an increase in childhood obesity, which is extremely dangerous.”
He was speaking on the sidelines of the fourth Bahrain Diabetes and Endocrinology Conference which opened at the Gulf Hotel Bahrain yesterday.
The Bahrain Obesity Academy launched in September is the most recent national initiative to combat the condition which could lead to chronic diseases. The academy, run by BDS, began by training 45 Bahrain-based doctors on all aspects of obesity prevention, diagnosis and management.
King Hamad University Hospital consultant endocrinologist and BDS scientific committee chairwoman Professor Dr Dalal Al Romaihi told the GDN that an Obesity Forum will soon be held to unite all initiatives to tackle the condition.
Bahrain has initiated several strategies to fight obesity, improve physical fitness and physical activity, nutrition and combat smoking.
“The forum will also bring all stakeholders and discuss challenges, opportunities and the way forward,” Dr Al Romaihi said.
She indicated a possible rise in obesity rates in Bahrain during the pandemic.
“Internationally, the impact of Covid-19 on obesity varies – reports say people adopted a healthier lifestyle because of the stay-at-home orders with more access to gym, exercise and healthy eating, while on the other side many have led sedentary lives, doing their work online, learning virtually and ordering food on deliveries.
“I believe in Bahrain too, the trend has gone more towards obesity, from my personal experience with patients, who come for weight loss medications or strategies.
“We need to work collaboratively and I am confident we will start seeing a decline in (obesity) rates – not in a year or two, but in five to 10 years.”
The medic called on the government to invest in the population to cut down the rising expenses for tackling obesity and diabetes.
“Obesity is linked to 150 health conditions,” she pointed out.
“My personal opinion is that the government and insurance – whether it’s commercial or the upcoming national insurance – should cover the cost of treating obesity, including visits to dietitians, medications or surgery.”
She admitted that the culture of food was a challenge. “We are culturally revolving around food, we meet people and eat rather than go for a walk or play a game,” she said.
“We are now seeing new cities here with areas for walking and exercise, which is very promising.”
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