Obesity, Physical Activity and Diet in the Eastern

Mediterranean

Obesity, Physical Activity and Diet in the Eastern

Mediterranean

DR ABDULLRAHMAN MUSAIGER

Head, Arab Center for Nutrition BAHRAIN

Prevalence of Overweight among Preschool Children

Prevalence of Overweight among Preschool Children (1992 – 1997)

de Onis and Blössner (2000)

Arab

Asia

%

Summary of Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in the

Middle East Countries

35 - 75Women

30 - 60Men

Adults

15 - 45Adolescents (11 – 18 yr)

10 - 25School children (6 – 10 yr)

4 - 8Preschool children (<6 yr)

% of Overweight and Obesity

Age group

Musaiger (2007)

Pregnancy

(gain weight more than average)

Infancy:

(3-7%)

Childhood and adolescence:

(10-45%)Higher risk of obesity,

hypertension, micronutrient inadequacies,

unhealthy eating patterns, and lifestyles

Adulthood:(30-75%)

Higher chronic disease risks, micronutrient inadequacies,

unhealthy eating patterns, and

lifestyles

Life Cycle of Overweight and Obesity in the EMR

Prevalence of Low Physical Activity according to the Stepwise Survey in

some Arab Countries

Physical Activity of Saudi Adults Using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)

(N=1616)

Al-Hazza (2007)

Summary of Barriers to Physical Activity among Bahraini Adults (N

= 426)Barriers % Type

Major barriers

Lack of resources 62 Environment

Lack of energy 56 Individual

Lack of time 54 Individual

Lack of motivation 48 Individual

Moderate barriers

Social influence 17 Environment

Minor barriers

Fear of injury 8 Individual

Lack of skill 6 Individual

Percent Increase of Daily per Capita Dietary Energy in some Middle East

Countries (1971-2005)(1971 as a base)

FAO (Food Balance sheet, 1971-2005)

Prevalence of Low Intake of Fresh Fruit and Vegetables in some Arab

Countries according to the STEPwise Survey

(Daily intake ≤5 serving/day)

Contribution (%) of Nutrients to Daily Energy Supply (DES) in the Middle East

CountriesNutrients Low

income countries

Intermediate income countries

High income countries

Carbohydrates 55 – 75 60 – 70 59 – 60

Fats 15 – 20 20 – 25 29 – 35

Proteins 10 – 12 10 – 11 10 – 12

Complex carbohydrates

60 – 70 50 – 60 45 – 50

Sugar 3 – 12 9 – 12 10 – 15

Animal fat 4 – 7 4 – 10 11 – 15

Cereals 60 – 80 45 – 65 35 – 40

Musaiger (2004)

CONCLUSION

• Obesity has been become an endemic in most countries of the Region

• Change in dietary habits and lack of physical activity are the main factors responsible for high prevalence of obesity and NCD

• Environmental and cultural factors should also be taken in consideration in any intervention programme to prevent NCD