Obesity in children and adolescents in Gulf countries: Facts and solutions

Abstract

The rapid pace of socioeconomic development in the Arabian Gulf nations and the rapidly changing environment are probably determining the altering scenario of child and adolescent nutrition in the developed societies. The rapid urbanization in everyday life, accompanied by decreased levels of physical activity and increased caloric intake of non-traditional food has become responsible for the emerging of obesity in children and adolescents as a major public health issue in these countries. The six Arabian Gulf nations are a good example for this developmental transition and its consequences.Prevalence is high among Kuwaiti and Saudi pre-school children (8–9%), and among the highest in the world among Kuwaiti adolescents (40–46%), taking into account that different standard of assessment of obesity are used. Although data on the prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and metabolic syndrome (MS) in children in the region are sparse, both morbidities are expected to rise, knowing the strong association between obesity and T2DM in the adult population. Prevention strategies need the collaborative efforts of governmental and community-led agencies to establish long-term programs to improve health education, targeting young children and their families. Healthy eating and physical activity should be promoted and encouraged in schools, nurseries, and child care settings.This article gives an overview of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in the 6-Arabian Gulf countries. It will also address possible strategies for the prevention and management of this major health epidemic.