Obesity Epidemic Threatens Health And Economies in Saudi Arabia, UAE
Saudi Arabia ranks among the worst-affected countries globally due to rising obesity, according to a new report that exposes the enormous health and economic burdens of overweight people across the GCC.
Both Saudi Arabia and the neighbouring UAE face a growing public health crisis as rates of obesity and weight-related non-communicable diseases continue to rise, according to data from the World Obesity Federation’s World Obesity Atlas 2024 report released this week ahead of World Obesity Day on March 4.
The report reveals that if current trends hold, then over half the population in both countries will be overweight or obese by 2035, posing risks of chronic diseases, reduced quality of life, and multi-billion-dollar burdens on national economies.
According to the report, more than three-quarters of Saudi women (78 percent) are overweight, placing the Kingdom fifth worldwide after Tonga, Samoa, Kuwait, and Jordan in terms of obese women. Meanwhile, 76 percent of Saudi men are obese, giving the nation the 11th spot on the global obesity index.
Projections estimate adult obesity prevalence will continue to climb by approximately 2.4 percent annually in the Kingdom without significant intervention. This translates to an estimated 1.3 million obese adults by 2030.
Similarly, the UAE harbours an escalating obesity epidemic, with excessive weight diverting nearly $12 billion from its economy each year.
Latest statistics position the UAE as the 11th most affected country worldwide for obesity among women, with more than a third (37.2 percent) of its female population classified as obese. The country is ranked fifth on the global obesity index, with 40 percent of 11- to 16-year-olds and 20 percent of children under the age of 11 classified as obese.
Across the GCC, soaring obesity rates are sounding alarm bells due to the immense burdens on health systems and economies. The report warns that proactive measures are urgently needed to alter the region’s trajectory before the problem becomes uncontrollable.
Along with afflicting adults, obesity threatens Saudi Arabia’s youth as well, with more than four out of 10 boys and three out of 10 girls under 20 living with obesity.
Comparatively, the Kingdom ranks fourth-worst globally for childhood obesity among boys and 14th for girls.
Without strategic interventions, it is estimated that more than 60 percent of Saudi children will be obese by 2035. This equals more than 5.7 million young citizens facing heightened risks of lifelong health complications.
Research consistently demonstrates obesity significantly elevates the chances of developing numerous non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including type 2 diabetes, heart diseases, stroke, and cancer.
Apart from endangering generations of Saudis, obesity is directly linked to 1.1 million lives lost in 2019 from weight-related NCDs. The Atlas 2024 report ties costly health burdens to reduced productivity due to disability and premature deaths and soaring obesity-related healthcare costs in Saudi Arabia.
In the neighbouring UAE, elevated BMI likewise extracts immense costs, with nearly $12 billion lost from its economy annually.
The report says, despite its standing as a beacon of global leadership in many health initiatives, from polio eradication to neglected tropical diseases and cervical cancer prevention strategies, the nation is grappling with a growing obesity crisis that, without significantly scaled-up efforts, will become ever more serious in the coming years.
Johanna Ralston, CEO of the World Obesity Federation, said: “The cost of business with obesity, with fragmented and siloed efforts here as in most countries, means the UAE is expected to see a continued rise in the numbers of people living with obesity and shocking increases in the economic impact of disability and deaths associated with the disease.”
“Armed with this new data, it is time to take decisive steps to turn the tide on the obesity epidemic. This data serves as a wake-up call for policymakers to implement new strategies aimed at reducing obesity and its associated economic burdens,” Ralston added.
According to Ralson, despite efforts in the UAE to address the problem of obesity in recent years—from making women’s fitness options accessible to all to the implementation of an excise tax on sugar-sweetened beverages, strict health and nutrition guidelines for school meals, and encouraging restaurants to display the calorie content of every meal—it is clear that much more needs to be done.
However, with projections that more than 6.5 million adults in the UAE will be living with obesity by 2035, comprising more than 4.5 million men, the time for action is now.
The nation currently spends more than $1.4 billion in direct healthcare costs, treating weight-related illnesses – a figure set to escalate to $1.9 billion by 2035.
Meanwhile, obesity costs the UAE economy $10.3 billion in indirect costs such as reduced manpower and productivity. Experts forecast this may reach an exorbitant $30.7 billion by 2035 if the obesity epidemic spirals out of control.
Dr. Sara Suliman, a consultant endocrinologist and diabetologist, said: “Some countries in the MENA region have made significant strides to treat and manage obesity. The UAE, for example, has put in place standards of care for obesity management since 2008. As a region with some of the highest rates of obesity, we have initiated a working group—soon to become a registered society—with the support of the World Obesity Federation to produce unified guidelines, supporting education and raising awareness on obesity and how best to tackle it.”
Suliman further said: “The main barriers to obesity management include recognition of obesity as a disease, education of healthcare professionals as well as the affected individuals and their families, clear management guidelines, and support from all sectors involved in the prevention and management of obesity.”
Dr. Mavin Macauley, a consultant endocrinologist at Abu Dhabi’s Burjeel Hospital, told Al Arabiya English that “no one-track approach can be considered” to solve the GCC obesity crisis.
“Multiple approaches should be used in combination over a period to improve obesity outcomes, and understanding the evidence and implementing it is crucial,” he explained. “For example, in general, exercise alone does not make someone lose weight. While the evidence suggests that aerobic exercise may play a role in weight management when used with dietary changes. A public health initiative about healthy food choices is also important. Food choices are very subjective.”
Furthering the implementation of proactive measures to address obesity is “essential,” considering its impact, said the doctor.
“Developing a targeted and unified approach to obesity and its associated problems is the right approach. Access to community-based dietary interventions is crucial for promoting healthier eating habits among individuals. Additionally, expanding access to dieticians through a wider range of insurance coverage can provide individuals with personalised guidance and support in managing their diet effectively.”
The doctor said compulsory food labelling in supermarkets can also empower consumers to make informed choices about their food purchases, promoting greater awareness of nutritional content and aiding in healthier decision-making.
Reducing the availability of high-calorie drinks can also help curb excessive calorie intake, contributing to efforts to combat obesity and promote healthier beverage options.
