Obesity: Deadly and Preventable
Obesity is now a global epidemic for people of all ages. With life becoming more technologically friendly and convenient, society is becoming less and less active. This sedentary lifestyle is leading to major health problems for people of all ages including hypertension, heart disease and diabetes. Obesity is a leading preventable cause of death worldwide, with increasing prevalence in adults and children, and authorities view it as one of the most serious public health problems of the 21st century.
In 2006, a national study revealed that 17% of Emirati children aged between 6-16 years of age were overweight. By 2008, 22% of the Emirati population had diabetes. This shocking figure makes UAE nationals the second worst in the world for diabetes.
Lifestyle choices such as unhealthy diet and lack of exercise are the main reasons behind the high diabetic figure, while experts believe UAE nationals are also genetically more prone to developing the disease compared to the rest of the world.
The risk of cardiovascular diseases and strokes are up to six times higher in people with diabetes, and are the most likely cause of death in suffers.
If society continues along this path the future looks bleek. In 2003 there were 194 million people in Asia that had diabetes and it is expected that by 2025, that number will be closer to 333 million people! Across the world in 2006 there was a death due to diabetes every 10 seconds, and an amputation due to diabetes every 30 seconds.
So what can be done to slow this increasing problem? The answer is to change lifestyle habits by educating the public about the dangers of obesity and what can be done to prevent it.
The key to prevention of type 2 diabetes, even in those with predisposing genes, is to maintain a normal body weight and to exercise regularly. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) stated that up to 58% of type 2 diabetes is preventable through a healthier diet and increasing physical activity.
For the past seven years at Rashid School we have had programs in place to teach the boys the dangers, causes, and methods for prevention of obesity. This has included an in-depth health and nutrition policy; assessment and monitoring of BMI (Body Mass Index); education through pastoral systems; specialized guest speakers, as well has having a very proactive and highly experienced school nurse. As a result we have seen an improvement in student’s BMI figures and have had boys lose up to 22kg! This success has not only improved their health, but changed the way they live life, and has improved their self-confidence and body image. This is an ongoing mission not only for Rashid School and its pupils, but one for society as a whole.
The UAE government is well aware of the situation and over the last few years has been promoting the dangers of obesity. There is now an annual conference on diabetes held here in Dubai as well as other schemes being launched to promote fitness and diet concerns. This January, the Ministry of Health is launching another campaign to highlight the immense dangers of obesity and will be holding talks and clinics throughout Dubai.
Back in May of 2006 the ‘Imperial College London Diabetes Centre’ (ICLDC) was established in Abu Dhabi with a vision to create a ‘Centre of Excellence’ for diabetes with a multi-disciplinary approach coving all aspects of diabetes and its complications in the UAE.
Public Health is one of the core focus areas for the ICLDC and in February 2007 they launched ‘Diabetes Knowledge Action’, which was an award winning public health campaign.
Weight loss is not an easy journey, but it is possibly the most important and beneficial road some boys will ever take.