Childhood Obesity Programs in Arab Gulf Countries (Concentrate on Saudi Arabia) - Report Example

CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN ARAB GULF COUNTRIES (SAUDI ARABIA) Name Institution Abstract Obesity may be taken lightly but is a serious public health challenge among children and adult of this century. Its effects are detrimental to the body of a child and make the child to be at the risk of many diseases and even disability. Globally, many children are affected by this unfortunate circumstance, with an increased percentage of affection recorded in 2010 by 60% down from 1990. It is a menace that affects rich and poor, old and young, as well as male and female alike. Its rise in Saudi Arabia and other countries making the gulf region have prompted this study as it has become a crisis in a country considered to have strict dietary norms. Amidst the warning of the world Health Organization (WHO) that the escalating obesity epidemic can put the population of many countries such as Saudi Arabia at a risk of developing non- communicable diseases, many studies and researches in the gulf region indicates that the obesity level in the Arab world has reached an alarming stage among both children and adults, with more emphasis on children. With Saudi Arabia and other Arab gulf countries, this study is more critical on the obesity prevalence among children by considering the risks factors, causes, effects, prevention cases, as well as the stakeholders of health programs for intervention measures. Introduction The world is on the receiving end of child obesity and overweight with recent and current health discussion asserting worrying reports. United Nation’s reports indicate an increasing trend, a trend that affects both the developed and developing worlds. Recent figures rates the Arab states among the overweight countries in the world. The gulf Cooperation Council countries are among the fattest countries in the world according to the World Health organization (WHO) reports. Although obesity rates in the non-Arabic countries like the United States, United Kingdom, among others have also increased, the Arab world of the gulf region shows a rather worrying trend with Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar leading with 42.2 percent, 35.2 percent, and 33.1 percent respectively. In a study conducted by the Gulf Organization for Industrial consulting in 2008, it was found out that 35.6 percent of Saudi Arabian Adults are obese, a percentage which ranked Saudi Arabia the third country with the largest obese adult population (Kelishadi, 2007). With the same trend followed by the Saudi Arabia children, Saudi Arabia becomes an interesting study area, having a relatively lower rate compared to developed countries, but higher on the other hand in developing countries. Some countries like Saudi Arabia have very strict dietary norms but the rising cases of obesity in children, which has become a global epidemic, in both the developed and developing countries are alarming even to such counties. Other countries have also raised concern and declared the childhood obesity a crisis as the changes in the prevalence obesity rate by year and age group in these countries indicate an increasing trend (O'Dea, & Eriksen, 2010). Many studies carried out in the gulf region indicate an increasing trend of child obesity, with children aged in the range of 5 years and 17 years old becoming the worst affected. Other than being considered a worldwide health problem, child obesity is a problem that advances to adulthood. With specific review of the Saudi children, recent researches indicate a high prevalence and trend of obesity among them with the trend increasing at an increasing rate. According to Bagchi (2011), the 2007 Forbes’ list ranked Saudi Arabia among the fattest countries in the world at 29th position, with about two-thirds of the Saudi Arabians being considered obese. However, the most alarming aspect of obesity issue in Saudi Arabia is that one in every six children aged between 6 to 18 years is obese. This fact is terrible and unless certain health programs like the Childhood obesity, Prevalence and Prevention and others are sensitized, this figure will continue rising. According to WHO (2011), data published between 2000 and 2012 by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that the rate of overweight and thus obesity among the Saudi children were a reportedly 9.6 percent and 23 percent respectively, and 6 percent and 15 percent respectively. These are figures which have so far increased marginally trends of 30 percent. Several risk factors that lead to childhood obesity were studied in the literature. It has been noted that one of the effects of rapid modernization and urbanization in the Arab world is the increase in the social inequalities (WHO, 2011). Increasing social inequalities lead to different behaviors and food choices among the people basically consistent with weak education on health issues. Among the underlying cause factors of obesity to be mentioned in this study is the lack of knowledge of food choices (ignorance of the health facts) and the importance of physical activities. Although low physical exercise and unhealthy diets are considered the main risk factors for overweight in children and adults, many cultural and social norms for diet and body image play an important role as risk factors; these risk factors vary according to different societies (O'Dea, & Eriksen, 2010).Different geographical regions in Saudi Arabia have different variations in the prevalence of obesity and overweight. Most importantly, all the regions of Saudi Arabia shows the same increasing trend of child obesity and in the progression of this trend, it becomes evidently important that there is a need to adopt some national strategies to prevent this serious health problem. The purpose of this study is to determine and therefore to analyze childhood obesity programs in the Arab Gulf countries, with special interest in Saudi Arabia (Ogden, 2011). The main focus of the paper is on the risk factors, the causes as well as the laid down program to deal with the situation as it is. Discussion According to Moreno, et.al.,(2011), the future of Saudi Arabia will be manifested by a gloomy nation considering that a sizeable number of children are currently obese and the obesity problem is increasing at a faster rate than expected, unless concrete health stance are taken to take the problem into control. Generation after generation depends on children not only for perpetuity, but also fro transmission of societal values. When the aspects of obesity is passed on to the next generation, considering that young people between age 5 and 18 years of today learn what they get from their parents, the future of the country would be full of unhealthy people who would be generally economically, socially, and politically unproductive individuals (Kelishadi, 2007). The aspect of an idle nation would lead the country to the past era of underdevelopment and stagnant or/and declining growth. However, before getting into a further analysis of child obesity, it is important to analyze who is responsible for childhood obesity in The Arab Gulf Countries. Just as indicated above, eating habit is a social-economic component that depends on how individual lives based on his/her economic, social, and cultural background. Before any assumption are made basing the general responsibility of obesity on society, economic predicament of individual or cultural orientations, it also important to uncover the effects of parents, education, as well as peer influences as the proponents of the society and culture. Philosophically, an individual is a product of the parent and the society (Kelishadi, 2007). In this case, the parent and the society shape you to become who you are. This means therefore that the root childhood obesity can be traced on faulty parenting. United Arab Emirates (UAE), one of the nations making the Gulf Council, have reported adopted a massive education process to parents citing that educating parents about healthy eating habits is the key to reducing childhood obesity (Ogden, 2011). Dubai nutritionists have adopted this idea because many parents are generally responsible for their children becoming obese, and especially in Saudi Arabia, whereby despite heavy and strict dietary norms, parents still give their children unhealthy diets. A critical analysis of the parental contribution to child obesity shows, from studies, that many parents in the gulf region leave their children to go to school without taking breakfast. According to Bagchi (2011), 75 per cent of school children in the gulf region don’t take breakfast at home. Catenacci, et.al. (2009) argues that other than improving child concentration in class hence better performance academically, eating breakfast ensures healthy eating habits and is a big shield against obesity since it boost the metabolic rate and prevent children from overeating later in the day. Just like in the United Arabs Emirates (UAE), and other countries in the gulf region, one out of every three to six children are obese due to force feeding, poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyle (Ogden, 2011). According to United Nations children Funds (Uncef), greater exposure to technology like video games and Smartphone keep children in doors and make them become very inactive physically. Although children may be at the fault of ignorance of the young minds, educating parents is the key of reducing child obesity because they take the main responsibility of child obesity in the gulf region. Parents should lead by not buying and eating unhealthy food thereby setting the eating standards of their children. In this case therefore, the problem has risen to its level because many parents are simply unaware of nutritional facts and problems associated to poor eating habits (Ogden, 2011). Parents are also the first teachers of their children and are therefore responsible of teaching their children the aspects of eating and living healthy. According to Moreno, et.al.,(2011), the comparison of the obesity prevalence between boys and girls (sex) reveals that in the middle eastern countries, particularly the Arab Gulf Countries shows that the incidences of obesity is higher in boys than in girls. As such, the only reason behind such occurrences may be due to poor eating habits and poor engagement of physical activities that activate an active metabolism in the body. Boys are normally the most active members of the family and society, and in the event that make them be the most affected by the obesity cases more than girls would mean that they are generally in doors and are physically inactive most of the time (Ogden, 2011). In a survey study of the three cities in Saudi Arabia, the Riyadh, Jeddidah, and Al Khobar, as well as concluding national surveys of 2010 found out that the prevalence of obesity and overweight is higher in males than females. These findings are true even to young people. In this case therefore, it is safe to argue that despite the parental role in the increase in the obesity incidences among children in Saudi Arabia and other Arab Gulf Countries, the technological advancements and its global trends among children is also a factor. Children are in most cases in doors playing computer games, watching movies, and fail to be physically active. In such a state, they also end up eating junky foods, foods whose components are not dietary correct with a lot of fats (Ogden, 2011). Obesity and overweight automatically trickles in at an increasing rate. According to Catenacci, et.al. (2009), obesity develops because of a large intake of calorie-rich foods. Saudi Arabia is the largest consumer of fast food in the Gulf region, amounting to three-quarters of total fast food consumption according to Moreno, et.al.,(2011). In a report by the Gulf Organization Industrial Consulting, 29 out of 60 fast food factories in the Gulf region are found in Saudi Arabia. This report was/ is further substantiated by Moreno, et.al, (2011) that although these data are from 2008, they more or less reflect the current prevailing trends. As realized and noted by Catenacci, et.al. (2009), the intrinsic affection of fast foods and junk food among children is also on the rise as discussed above as parents resolving to give them such foods because with junk, they do not need to prepare and cook food which can take an hour to be done. Most parents are by far busy with work and they have no time to prepare meals for their children. This makes kids become used to eating the junk and therefore fast foods, so much so they reject healthy home-cooked meals. Just like Bagchi (2011) asserts, these dietary trends are a far cry from the traditional diet in Saudi and which Saudis in the past preferred. Along with the change of dietary habits, the populace has become largely physically inactive as described above. The kids prefer to stay at home and watch TV or play computer games while women have restrictions going to the gym or participating in any kind of sport. When unhealthy diets in addition to lack of physical activities among children, the end result is obesity and overweight in children. According to reports by Kelishadi ( 2007), governments of the Arab Gulf Countries, and more specifically the government of Saudi Arabia, have given high priority to the development if health care services at all levels. This has been marked by the highly improved health situations in the recent periods. However, many challenges still occur such as shortages of health professionals in Saudi Arabians, the health ministry’s multiple roles, limited financial resources, the changing patterns of disease, lack of national crisis management policies, lack of the national health information, and high health ignorance among the Saudis (O'Dea, & Eriksen, 2010). In as much as the social-economic factors have much to blame on the rise of the child overweight and obesity in Saudi Arabia and other Arab Gulf Countries, health ministries and organization status are also to take part in the blame. Promotion and prevention programmes fro health crises in Saudi Arabia have been met with some obstacles in its practical plans and procedures in the developments and implementation. Bagchi (2011) argues that there is a poor coordination of plans that manage issues of national crisis like child obesity simply because such plans are not comprehensively analyzed among the related sectors in order to reduce the impacts of such health crisis to controlled standards. The management of obesity is a serious health factor that needs to be analyzed from both objective and systematic manner. One major factor to note is that the management of obesity can involve both pharmaceutical and non pharmaceutical treatments among children and adults. Before an individual decides to take a positive actions to treat/manage overweight and there are certain risk factors that should be noted. In the same way, screening for overweight and obesity must be a recommended health pact among those individuals at high risk of developing overweight and obesity, individuals with hypertension, diabetes, family history of obesity, smokers, etc. The management of obesity however is attached with its objectives which include reduced future risk of obesity related effects, improved physical, mental, and social well-being of an individual. According to Bagchi (2011), most children managed in primary health care centers have simple obesity without any underlying medical cause, and therefore have no comorbidity. In such cases, weight management programs should be offered to the individuals who are ready and are at the same time willing to take part in health practices aimed at reducing obesity and thus make those positive life-style changes in Saudi Arabia. Although many arguments and debates have been raised about which of the methods, between dietitian and physical activity is more effective than the other, one important facts is that both are very important in trying to combat obesity, especially in Saudi Arabia. One of the components of life-style interventions according to Kelishadi (2007), is the dietary interventions in the process of combating obesity. Such interventions involve modifications to the type, quantity, quality, and the frequency of food and drink consumed by an individual. Healthcare professionals have emphasized on healthy eating because unhealthy eating is the major root cause of obesity and overweight among the Saudi children. In this case, the dietary intervention, as Bouchard (2000) argues, that produces a 600kcal/day deficit lead to a good weight loss. On the other hand, dietary arguments asserts that intake of whole grains foods, cereals, fruits, vegetables, and salads in favors of energy dense foods having animal fats and sugary drinks are more influential in reducing obesity with the intended intensity. In the dietary change arguments with the patients, it is important to note the emphasis on the achievable and sustainable healthy eating, especially among children. There should be a sustainable healthy food programmes in schools and other social institutions that gathers children in order to reduce and prevent obesity instances. According to Kushner & Bessesen (2007), weight and obesity management programs should include components of physical activity, dietary change and behavioral changes. The individuals who are in the weight management programs should be active in physical activities and reduce, if possible to stop, sedentary behaviors like watching television, video games, and staying indoors. Obese individuals should be supported to undertake increased physical activity as part of a weight management program (O'Dea, & Eriksen, 2010). Obese children should be encouraged to play often and their physical activity programs should be assessed. Children are the most active members of the society considering their growth and development process. In that way, they should be encouraged and left to play more often with their fellow children in order that they reduce their calories components and burn a lot of their fatty tissues through metabolism processes when playing. The science behind metabolism supports intense and yet controlled physical activities as the best and quicker way of reducing overweight and obesity above dietary intervention, however, a combination of dietary measures and physical activities are the sure treatment of obesity and overweight among children, and even adults. According to Malik (2007), the first step of combating the nationwide spread of obesity is to undertake a nationwide campaign aimed at sensitizing the citizens about the dangers of obesity. The stakeholders of health promotion such as parents, the government, children, the corporate would as well as the ministry of education and health should take part in this sensitization programs (Kelishadi, 2007). This sensitization should be targeting mainly parents since most of them in Saudi Arabia are basically ignorant about the effects of obesity, causes and prevention mechanism. Funds should be directed towards the information drive and increase obesity awareness in the televisions, adverts, radio, and other media components. Sports in schools and other social institutions should also be energized (promoted) and free couching and training should be encouraged. The private sectors (the corporate world) should also be asked to take part in promoting and sponsoring programs aimed at developing sports like swimming, athletics, football, and other games among the Saudi children. For private companies to follow through their philanthropic commitments, the government should encourage them to action by giving them some incentives (O'Dea, & Eriksen, 2010). The ministry of education should also introduce a higher level of sports training. Factors aimed at eliminating the threat of obesity in Saudi Arabian children should be met mostly at national levels by supporting such programs that make Saudi Arabia a better nation where healthy people live and where prosperity lingers on for many generations to come. Conclusion Just as described earlier, obesity is a disease that affects countries irrespective of their socio-economic status. According to Crawford (2010), its effects are not just limited to health alone, but also to the sociological and psychological aspects of the society, individual, and more importantly to the affected child. The economy is by far affected especially if the population of an actively and vibrant economy like that of Saudi Arabia is majorly constituted by the obese people and children, the future generation. Other than these effects, obese children normally suffer jeers and taunts, according to O'Dea & Eriksen (2010), from their peers which greatly affects their self-esteem in life and recue their involvement inn the social events and occasions. These make their lives be socially miserable and make them involve in exercise that make them be at even more risks like resorting to stay indoors, watching movies, and playing video games. The obese children in Saudi Arabia are also at the risk of attracting chronic diseases which are basically long term in nature, for instance high-blood pressure, sleep disorders, diabetes, as well as other cardiovascular diseases. Ogden (2011) argues that when these factors are taken in a national context, diseases brought about by obesity can cause high healthcare expenses, early deaths and reduced human capital that is very essential to maintain a robust economy. References Abolfotouh M, Al-Alwan I, Al-Rowaily M. 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Available from: http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/publications/facts/obesity/en/ Read More