News

 Obesity rates worldwide have nearly tripled since 1975, leading to the classification of obesity as an "epidemic." Currently, around 2.1 billion people, nearly 30% of the global population, are either obese or overweight. This includes 41 million children under five years old and over 340 million children and adolescents aged 5-19 years as of 2016. Dr. Wiam explains that obesity is recognized as a disease by the World Health Organization (WHO) and many medical associations globally. The Body Mass Index (BMI) is commonly used to measure obesity and overweight status. Obesity is fundamentally caused by an imbalance between calorie intake and calorie expenditure, exacerbated by the consumption of high-calorie foods and sedentary lifestyles. The article emphasizes the need for investing in prevention, early intervention, and treatment of obesity to reduce the health costs associated with non-communicable diseases linked to obesity. Practical recommendations for managing obesity include limiting energy intake, increasing the consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and nuts, and engaging in regular physical activity. The article also highlights the significant increase in obesity rates in the Middle East over the past 33 years.