Qatar’s obesity epidemic

A very large problem for native Qataris

While Qatar has the second-highest per capita gross domestic product in the world and the third-largest proven reserves of natural gas, it also holds the less desirable position of ranking sixth globally for the greatest prevalence of obesity and diabetes, according to the International Association for the Study of Obesity. It also has the highest rate of obesity among boys in the Middle East and North African region.

In a nation of 1.6 million, native Qataris (who number 250,000) are suffering from a catalogue of serious health problems. Obesity is the most important factor leading to the progression of diabetes and other conditions such as hypertension and cancer. The International Diabetes Federation ranked Qatar fifth globally for the proportion of people aged 20 to 79 with diabetes and, instead of primarily focusing on prevention of chronic disease, the focus has instead been on treatment. According to dietician Nelda Nader, a hurdle that is hard to overcome are cultural norms. She explained that: ‘For the majority it is really quite normal to be obese.’

Source: The New York Times, 26 April 2010.

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