Obesity is a major problem in Saudi Arabia, particularly among women. A recent study found that about 66 percent of Saudi women are overweight or obese.
“It is a problem here because of its association with such health risks as heart disease, diabetes and cholesterol, all of which are on the rise in Saudi Arabia,” said Patricia Fenton, chief clinical dietitian at King Faisal Specialist Hospital.
Foods high in fat and sugar and the sedentary lifestyle here are leading factors that lead to obesity, though heredity also plays a big role.
“I think the influx of fast food restaurants is also a contributing factor,” Fenton said. “Most entertaining and socializing here revolves around eating.”
Some people resort to diets that are not medically based and can harm their health. “These diet fads don’t teach healthy eating habits or affect weight management in the long-term. They can cause deficiencies in certain nutrients that the body needs,” Fenton said.
Saudi women don’t have many venues to exercise or participate in sports activities and the health clubs are not easily affordable to most.
“It’s important to incorporate exercise into healthy living. When we recommend exercising, we keep in mind the environment of each patient and the difficulty involved for women,” she said.
But she said she noticed an increase in the number of women walking as a form of exercise and following aerobic instructions on videotapes at home. “There are also more low-fat products available in grocery stores.”
She said the hospital takes a dietary history of patients and recommends an individually tailored diet plan and follow-ups.
“The most important thing is to educate them about the health risks of obesity and encourage them to reduce fat content in meals and avoid unnecessary sugary things.”
When diet and exercise fail, or when obesity is becoming a threat to the patient’s health and life, the next step is weight-loss medication. “We are frequently asked for medication such as Xenical, but they have to be subscripted by a doctor and taken under supervision,” Fenton said.
Such medication is not automatically effective in reducing weight; it has to be used correctly in combination with proper diet and exercise. “It can be misused if it’s available at pharmacies without a doctor’s prescription,” Fenton warned.
A new weight control medicine called Reductil was recently approved by the Saudi Ministry of Health. An appetite suppressant, it will be available in the market soon. There are, however, side effects such as headaches, constipation and palpitation, which is why it is necessary to consult a doctor, particularly if the patient has certain health conditions, or is taking other medication.
As a last resort, many Saudis are opting for surgical procedures such as gastric bending or stomach stapling, but these procedures are mostly for morbid obesity and, as with any surgery, there are health risks and side effects associated with them.
One of those diet fads that became popular in Saudi Arabia recently is using the blood-type analysis, NuTron, to determine the kinds of foods that should be avoided by each individual.
The Saudi Minister of Health Dr. Hamad Al-Manea has announced two days ago that there is no scientific or clinical proof on the effectiveness of this type of diet and consequently revoking the licenses of all institutions for using this method.
“Conducting these analyses is a kind of blackmail and public deception of the patient scientifically and financially,” said the minister and issued a ban on any advertisements by the institutions for conducting these analyses.
Source: arabnews.com
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