Overweight women in the Middle East have a higher risk of developing hypertension, Type 2 diabetes and heart disease than women with a lower body mass index, a new study has found.
More than half (54.2 per cent) of women are obese across the region, according to research.
The research showed overweight or obese women had a higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, high blood pressure in pregnancy and persistent weight gain after they have their baby than women with a standard BMI. The study also found they were more likely to be older and have a low level of education.
Dr Mohammad Adnan Bani Baker of Prince Hamza Hospital in Amman, Jordan, said: “This demographic is often underrepresented in global research and literature ... despite the region’s high rates of obesity and cardiovascular disease. I was drawn to this topic because of the alarming rise in these conditions in Middle Eastern women, which poses a significant public health challenge.
“It is our hope that this study will bring attention and call for more targeted interventions to protect this vulnerable population."
The researchers studied data on 626 participants aged between 18 and 50 years old, who had been evaluated by health professionals, medical residents and medical students. The average age of the participants was just under 43.
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To reduce risk, Dr Baker recommended the introduction of lifestyle modification programmes to promote healthy diet and exercise, tailored to cultural preferences in the Middle East.
Public health campaigns should also be run to promote the early detection and treatment of hypertension and diabetes among young women in the region, he said, especially among those with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, highlighting the significance of weight management. Support should also be provided at cardiovascular screenings to help women from lower educational and income levels overcome the barriers they face in accessing health care, he said.
“Tailored preventive strategies, informed by gender-specific factors, are essential for achieving global cardiovascular health objectives,” added Dr Baker. “Our findings help healthcare providers to develop earlier prevention programmes and raise awareness regarding the importance of weight management.”
Heart disease is seen in young people in the Middle East about 10 years earlier than other parts of the world, with a “significant number” of patients in their 30s and 40s, according to doctors in the UAE. The condition is being fuelled by poor lifestyle habits, including poor diet and a lack of exercise and sleep.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide and in the UAE. Research has indicated that 36 per cent of deaths in the UAE are caused by cardiovascular disease, compared with 23.5 per cent in the US.
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Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
The biog
Name: Sari Al Zubaidi
Occupation: co-founder of Cafe di Rosati
Age: 42
Marital status: single
Favourite drink: drip coffee V60
Favourite destination: Bali, Indonesia
Favourite book: 100 Years of Solitude
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Jonathan Miller, Scribe Publications
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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List of UAE medal winners
Gold
Faisal Al Ketbi (Open weight and 94kg)
Talib Al Kirbi (69kg)
Omar Al Fadhli (56kg)
Silver
Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Khalfan Belhol (85kg)
Zayed Al Mansoori (62kg)
Mouza Al Shamsi (49kg women)
Bronze
Yahia Mansour Al Hammadi (Open and 94kg)
Saood Al Hammadi (77kg)
Said Al Mazroui (62kg)
Obaid Al Nuaimi (56kg)
Bashayer Al Matrooshi (62kg women)
Reem Abdulkareem (45kg women)
How to get there
Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
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The five pillars of Islam
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Bio
Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity
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Opening Premier League fixtures, August 14
- Brentford v Arsenal
- Burnley v Brighton
- Chelsea v Crystal Palace
- Everton v Southampton
- Leicester City v Wolves
- Manchester United v Leeds United
- Newcastle United v West Ham United
- Norwich City v Liverpool
- Tottenham v Manchester City
- Watford v Aston Villa
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The bio
Date of Birth: April 25, 1993
Place of Birth: Dubai, UAE
Marital Status: Single
School: Al Sufouh in Jumeirah, Dubai
University: Emirates Airline National Cadet Programme and Hamdan University
Job Title: Pilot, First Officer
Number of hours flying in a Boeing 777: 1,200
Number of flights: Approximately 300
Hobbies: Exercising
Nicest destination: Milan, New Zealand, Seattle for shopping
Least nice destination: Kabul, but someone has to do it. It’s not scary but at least you can tick the box that you’ve been
Favourite place to visit: Dubai, there’s no place like home
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
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Essentials
The flights
Whether you trek after mountain gorillas in Rwanda, Uganda or the Congo, the most convenient international airport is in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali. There are direct flights from Dubai a couple of days a week with RwandAir. Otherwise, an indirect route is available via Nairobi with Kenya Airways. Flydubai flies to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Entebbe in Uganda. Expect to pay from US$350 (Dh1,286) return, including taxes.
The tours
Superb ape-watching tours that take in all three gorilla countries mentioned above are run by Natural World Safaris. In September, the company will be operating a unique Ugandan ape safari guided by well-known primatologist Ben Garrod.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, local operator Kivu Travel can organise pretty much any kind of safari throughout the Virunga National Park and elsewhere in eastern Congo.
