Abu Dhabi - UAE sees a decrease in diabetics thanks to health initiatives.
Published: Sun 24 Jan 2016, 5:45 PM
Last updated: Mon 25 Jan 2016, 5:23 PM
Diabetes and obesity are chronic diseases, considered as epidemics that are rife globally, although they are often related to one's lifestyle choices. The UAE government has developed a number of health-related programmes and initiatives, to improve the wellbeing of nationals and residents.
However, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) call diabetes the 21st century's leading healthcare challenge, especially for the nations within the Gulf region.
What your BMI says about you?> If 25-29 - Overweight
> If 30 - Obese
* If 30 to 32 - You are three times as likely to die from heart disease, compared to those with a healthy BMI,
> If 33 and above - You are almost five times as likely to die from heart disease than normal people
> Staggering BMI levels - Increase risks associated with Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and stroke.
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A study by Health Authority-Abu Dhabi (Haad) reveals that in 2013 the proportion of death from cardiovascular related diseases accounted for 36.7 per cent of all deaths in Abu Dhabi. These diseases - diabetes as well as obesity - were all related to unhealthy lifestyle choices, diabetes as well as obesity.
Furthermore, the Global Burden of Disease Study reveals that over 66 per cent of men and 60 per cent of women in the UAE are overweight or obese.
Medical experts generally define overweight people, as those with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 25 to 29, while those who hold a BMI of 30 and over are considered obese.
Those who hold a BMI of 30 to 32 however, are three times as likely to die from heart disease, compared to those who have a healthy BMI, while those with a BMI of 33 and above are almost five times as likely.
Staggering BMI levels also increase risks associated with Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer and stroke, to name a few.
In 2012, it was estimated that 20 per cent of residents and 25 per cent of nationals were suffering from the disease. Within the last three years however, the UAE has seen a dramatic decrease in the number of diabetes sufferers, thanks to the increase in initiatives.
The Weqaya initiative, which was introduced by Haad, is one of the many initiatives that have been developed to improve the living of the community and decrease the alarming rates of people suffering from obesity and diabetes.
Check for this label
A number of entities, including hospitals, restaurants and supermarkets have included the Weqaya label in their food products. The logo is displayed next to the meals on the menu, or next to the healthy choices found in buffets.
The logo can only be used on meals that contain less than 750 calories, as well as 100 grams of fruits and vegetables. It cannot be used on meals that are deep-fried and/or contain artificial flavours and sweeteners.
Moreover, it cannot be used on meals that contain more than 30 per cent of its calories from fat and more then 10 per cent calories from saturated fat. Also, nutrition facts label must be provided on all products that carry the logo, whether it's on site or upon request. The logo has certainly helped many residents in the capital make better choices when it comes to eating out.
Maha Fateh said that since she is a great lover of take-outs, she hopes to see the Weqaya label on more menus in eateries in the city.
"I work long hours and don't often have much time to cook at home, so I eat outside almost every day." "Lately, I've been eating at restaurants that carry the Weqaya label, and this has really helped me make better choices when it comes to eating healthy outside of my home," she added.
Medical experts from the Capital believe that it's necessary to include such initiatives in hospitals, supermarkets and eateries, as eating healthy will become imbedded in one's own lifestyle within time.
Doctor Asjad Hameed, Specialist in Endocrine and Diabetes, told Khaleej Times that such programmes have certainly aided to bettering the lifestyle of residents in Abu Dhabi. He noted that although the nation has seen a great improvement in terms of the decreasing number of diabetics, the number of the current sufferers is still at an alarming rate.
"Diabetes is at an alarming rate all over the world, especially in the UAE. It was the second highest globally, but it has seen dramatic improvement and shifted to number seven." "Amongst those who suffer from diabetes, 80 per cent are overweight or obese in the UAE," he said, adding that, "19 per cent of UAE population is living with diabetes."
What is also concerning is that expats who often lead healthy lifestyles back in their home country, are also threatened by the disease, according to Dr Hameed.
Expats at more risk?
"Expats are often at greater risk of developing diabetes here than back home."
"This is because of the secondary lifestyle, the unhealthy eating habits, and even being surrounded by air-conditioners, which affects the way people sweat and burn calories." He said that it is perhaps the taxi drivers and labourers who are at a greater risk.
"Taxi drivers have an 80 per cent risk of developing diabetes because of the elements of stress they encounter and often their work hours that goes up to 14 hours a day."
"Taxi drivers drive, eat, sleep then drive again," he added.
Dr Hameed pointed out that diabetes and obesity are multi system diseases which can often lead to a number of deadly diseases, such as heart attacks, high cholesterol, stroke, as well as kidney and liver failure.
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com
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