Concern has been raised about the growing number of obese women and girls in the kingdom as moves are made for all agencies concerned to tackle the issue with a co-ordinated plan of action.
The Bahrain Obesity Briefing book has been launched in partnership with the Bahrain Diabetes Society, the International Diabetes Federation and Novo Nordisk, a Danish multinational pharmaceutical company.
A virtual Press conference highlighted the current state of obesity in Bahrain and how it poses a major regional health challenge and the action being taken in Bahrain to combat the crisis, presented by assistant under-secretary for public health and vice-president of the Bahrain Diabetes Society Dr Mariam Al Hajeri,
Dr Al Hajeri noted how being overweight and obese were common across a wide sphere of society in Bahrain. “The country has experienced some of the most acute increases in obesity prevalence reported worldwide,” she said, “most notably among girls and women.
“The World Health Organisation has highlighted Bahrain along with Jordan, Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the UAE as the countries in the region where overweight and obesity prevalence rates are highest.”
Dr Dalal Al Romaihi, consultant adult endocrinologist at King Hamad University Hospital, gave an in-depth overview of the Bahrain Obesity Briefing book and what it entails, including an extensive introduction to obesity and its impact, prevention measures, individualised approaches to obesity management and more.
The Press conference included key statements from several strategic partners, including the Supreme Council of Health in Bahrain, Bahrain Diabetes Society, Novo Nordisk GC, The Embassy of Denmark, the Health Ministry and various well-renowned health practitioners and industry leaders from King Hamad University Hospital, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Bahrain, Salmaniya Medical Complex Bahrain, University of Bahrain, Arabian Gulf University and BDF’s Royal Medical Services.
Supreme Council for Health chairman and Bahrain Diabetes Society president Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa highlighted the importance of taking action. “The purpose of the launch of the book is to inform policymakers, healthcare professionals and the general public of the serious and widespread health challenge of obesity in Bahrain by highlighting its impact on society and individuals,” he said.
“Bahrain has a good primary healthcare system that is efficient in the risk assessment and diagnosis of obesity. It also has a good tertiary system with specialists for disease management and a multidisciplinary approach is in place.”
Ole Moesby, ambassador of Denmark to Bahrain, Saudi Arabai, Kuwait, Oman and Yemen, highlighted the importance of the collaboration in line with a memorandum of understanding signed last September to increase obesity awareness and emphasise the importance of tackling ‘this epidemic disease’ in Bahrain.
“Obesity is a serious, chronic disease that affects more than 650 million people around the world,” he added. “An essential part of this initiative is in line with our commitment to developing partnerships to develop and implement practical solutions around to address the obesity challenge.”
Dr Akin Aksekili, vice-president of Novo Nordisk Gulf spoke about the global burden of obesity and his company’s long-term commitment to improving the understanding and management of obesity in collaboration with the Bahrain Defence Royal Medical Services.
“By increasing awareness of obesity, and implementing population-based obesity prevention approaches and strategies – we will enable and empower individuals to take control of their health to achieve well-being, social and economic development and quality of life,” he emphasised.
“We want to support individuals suffering with obesity to reset their weight to a new, healthier starting point.”
The event concluded with remarks by Dr Ahmed Magdy, head of patient access and public affairs department of Novo Nordisk, who believes obesity must be recognised as a complex, multi-factorial chronic condition requiring long-term management solutions.
“The clinical treatment pathway for the management of obesity needs to be strengthened through proactive application of the clinical management guidelines established to support healthcare decision-making,” he added.
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