86 Restaurants in 16 km
Monday, February 25, 2008 at 10:20AM by Astrid Al-Hadeedi | Lecturer | American University of Kuwait 
The World Health Organization lists Kuwait as the 8th fattest country in the world with a 74.2% prevalence of overweight individuals, behind Nauru (94.5%), Federated States of Micronesia (91.1%), Cook Islands (90.9%), Tonga (90.8%), Niue (81.7%), Samoa (80.4%) and Palau (78.4%). This small group of Pacific Island countries has a genetic propensity for larger muscular physiques, and abdominal fatness has long been considered a symbol of wealth and prosperity for Pacific Islanders. Second to this cluster of small Pacific Islands is Kuwait. We are heavier than the Americans and report the highest rate of obesity of all Gulf Arab countries. We have the highest prevalence of hypertension and elevated cholesterol levels in all the Gulf region and we rank 5th for the global prevalence of diabetes behind Nauru, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Small-scale national studies report that only 2 - 5% of our population is physically active despite the fact that International Diabetes Federation tells us that up to 80% of type 2 diabetes is preventable by adopting a healthy diet and increasing physical activity.
Clearly Kuwait has an overweight/obesity/diabetes problem. We also have a high blood pressure and high cholesterol level problem. We have been told this already, many times, and through many different forms of media. Indeed much time, effort and money has been spent on forming committees to supervise subcommittees to form other committees to organize expensive seminars to tell us what we already know - we are eating too much of the wrong foods and we are moving too little.
The situation is now dire and is, incredibly, getting even worse. Obesity prevalence rates, especially in children, continue to increase, not to mention the number of newly diagnosed diabetes cases which are occurring every month. The socio-economic burden of our presently unhealthy choices may not be felt right now but it spells economic disaster for our tiny, but wealthy, state. This burden is not just in health care costs but also in terms of disability, unnecessary human suffering and impaired quality of life. Until we direct some effort at treating 'the causes of the causes' (why we are eating too much, moving too little and what we must do to reverse this), the situation can only be expected to get worse and the socio-economic consequences will be nothing short of catastrophic.
Kuwaitis of today are getting fatter and sicker simply by living in the Kuwait of today. Our environment can best be described as an 'obesogenic' environment, i.e. one that encourages obesity rather than healthy eating and active lifestyles. To highlight just how 'obeseogenic' our environment is becoming on January 12, 2008, 9 young, predominantly Kuwaiti people took on the challenge of walking the entire length (21 kms) of the Arabian Gulf Road, counting the total number of eateries and restaurants versus the total number of advertisements promoting physical activity on our way. We counted only eateries on the sea side of the Gulf Road so to a greater extent our figures dilute the truth by half.
The results are both startling and staggering. Beginning at the Scientific Center and continuing as far as the fish market at Souk Sharq (a 16 km stretch) there are a total of 86 eateries, plus an additional 4 under construction near the Kuwait Towers. This works out at 1 eatery every 186 meters. And this excludes the restaurants on the other side of the road. There are 17 eateries at Marina Crescent, 29 at Souk Sharq and another 36 between both malls. There are no restaurants, as yet, on the 4 km sea side of the Gulf Road between the Amiri Diwan and the KPC buildings in Shuwaikh.
One sign (20 x 30 cm), promoting walking, was seen on the side of a seemingly unused Kuwait Heart Association mobile promotion bus which is semi-permanently parked near the Kuwait Towers. The bus does not look as if it has been used for months despite having been designed to be a mobile information facility. Quite amazingly for a country that ranks so high for the prevalence of overweight/obesity, not one single government ad was seen promoting walking, jogging, swimming or indeed any other form of physical activity. Our health-care budget is the 3rd largest budget in the state and expenditure is directed primarily at treating diseases and illnesses associated with an unhealthy lifestyle. Perhaps there is a budget for health promotion, but until now health promotion efforts to encourage people to be more active are neither prominent or visible, nor effective. Providing each residential area with a 2 km straight, boring, black, asphalt strip to walk on is just not enough. Much more needs to be done to educate and motivate people to adopt healthy eating habits and engage in more physical activity.
This tiny initiative of counting restaurants is part of a very much bigger project which I would like to initiate. In December of 2007, I submitted a researched proposal to the Diwan Al-Amiri for a population-based physical activity campaign for Kuwait. I am seeking both funding and support from our leadership for this one-year long campaign which includes an additional 5 year plan. The campaign would be fresh, innovative, engaging, fun and motivating to different target audiences of the Kuwait population.
The primary aim of the campaign is to promote physical activity and remove the barriers to physical activity. It is NOT just a campaign to get just a few already-active people doing more - but rather aims to get huge numbers of the overall population doing a little. This would be a long term economic investment for Kuwait and the people of Kuwait, not just by reducing the health-care costs associated with treating diseases associated with physical inactivity, but also in terms of increased efficiency and productivity of our own nationals.
As an allied health care professional myself, and lecturer in Health and Wellness at the American University of Kuwait, I remain quite shocked at the reportedly low levels of physical activity amongst our Kuwaiti population. I believe the situation is even worse for women between 30 and 59 years of age. This is the sector of the population where obesity rates for this country are highest. It is the women of Kuwait who set the tone and culture in the home. If the mothers of Kuwait are overweight and inactive, why then are we surprised to note that childhood obesity in Kuwaiti children is burgeoning? For this campaign to be successful, it must be targeted at many different segments of the population.
AIMS OF POPULATION-BASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY CAMPAIGN FOR KUWAIT
PROMOTE '30 MINUTES PER DAY' OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR EVERYONE.
To encourage everyone, irrespective of their age, to take a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate intensity (walking briskly) exercise per day. This is the recommendation of the WHO, the American Heart Association, the International Task Force on Obesity, the International Diabetes Federation and the American College of Sports Medicine to mention but a few of the more internationally recognized health research and promotion organizations. Walking for 30 minutes per day is equal to expending 500 - 1,000 calories per week and can decrease overall health risk by 22%, whilst walking for one hour a day expends between 2,000 and 3,000 calories per week and can reduce overall health risk by 38 - 54%. Taking less than 30 minutes of physical activity per day is a major risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, some cancers and depression. Physical activity should not be confused with exercise which many associate with something intense, difficult, and competitive and only appealing to younger, more athletic individuals.
REMOVE THE BARRIERS TO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.
Scientific research highlights the fact that current levels of physical activity in any country are a reflection of personal attitudes about time use and of cultural and societal values. Given the extraordinarily high prevalence rate of obesity and diabetes directly related to physical inactivity it is considered prudent to try to create an appropriate cultural shift in thinking. Physical activity needs to be viewed as normal, desirable and a positive, selfcare choice. In addition to altering people's perceptions of physical activity (especially for women), there needs to be a massive drive to create more pleasant, free and varied facilities for all Kuwait's population to enjoy.
CORRECT THE MISCONCEPTION THAT 'BEING HEALTHY IS BEING SLIM'.
Most Kuwaitis associate health with body size, which is incorrect. Review of peer research tells us that it is healthier to be a little overweight but fit, than to be slim and unfit. Similarly, there is a deeply ingrained concept that physical activity is 'exercise' and exercise means going to the gym.
CREATE AWARENESS THAT REDUCING WEIGHT AND MAINTAINING A HEALTHY WEIGHT INVOLVES EATING LESS CALORIE DENSE FOOD AND CONTROLLING THE SIZE OF PORTIONS TOGETHER WITH BALANCING THE AMOUNT OF FOOD YOU EAT WITH AN ADEQUATE AMOUNT OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.
When large numbers of the population understand that the 300 calories in a jam and custard donut is equal to about one hour of walking at a moderate pace they may be less inclined to eat a second one. Similarly, a fast food meal of a double cheeseburger, extra large fries and a 24 oz. soft drink is equal to running 2.5 miles at a ten min./mile pace (1,500 calories). The campaign will have an enormous educational component utilizing all mass media communication tools.
CREATE A DEMAND FOR FOOD LABELING
As education and public awareness about the disease preventative benefits of healthy eating and physical activity increase, it is hoped that a health promoting culture, where Kuwaitis themselves will create a demand for accurate and honest food labeling from the major fast food companies, will emerge. Food labeling alone does not greatly influence consumer choice. However, food labeling has been proven to be more successful in promoting healthy consumer choices when it is combined with such information as how much walking, biking, dancing etc. we need to do to work off that scoop of ice-cream, that sandwich or that pastry.
It is my strongest hope that this campaign will receive the necessary support and funding. The anticipated costs of running such an intense and highly visible campaign now will be redeemed 100 times over in the coming 5 to 20 years. It has taken 30 years to create this obesity/diabetes epidemic. It will not be reversed overnight. Economically, we really cannot afford to ignore the impending health catastrophe at our door.
To promote public interest in this initiative I propose a once a month mini marathon of 21 km over one year plus a 42 km full marathon as the last walk. This will be followed by a big event to celebrate physical activity. The purpose of this walk is to create awareness that walking and physical activity are entirely normal, desirable lifestyle choices whilst inactivity is undesirable, irresponsible and a socio-economic burden to one's country.
Reader Comments (16)
Thanks - this is an important topic... I'm in that overweight, middle-aged women group. I think that since Kuwait is a small country with plenty of resources, the whole community should pull together and try to create an environment that would be more healthy.
One problem in motivating people to exercise is the climate. I might get myself walking (and I do appreciate the walking paths) during the winter, but when it starts getting too hot, that's over with.
One thing that they used to do in the U.S. was that malls encouraged people to come and walk inside the mall in the mornings, before the stores opened. A large mall like The Avenues would be perfect for that - and I would think that it would be good for business. In Kuwait, it would be a good idea to have have certain times for women only.
The co-op societies should take some responsibility, too. I remember reading about the union of co-op societies funding a hospital for heart disease or something; I thought that was nice, but it would be better if they would get rid of the fast food restaurants and replace them with something more nutritious. And maybe build some entertainment places where kids could do physical activity, like climbing and gymnastics, etc., instead of playing video games.
I know that I eat too much and don't exercise enough, and I have to take responsibility for that... but it's certainly true that the environment around one has a lot of influence. There was a study recently connecting obesity in the U.S. to the number of fast food restaursnts in the area.
really sad :(
What's even more sad is that the campaigner can't even get anyone who cares to fund that project in Kuwait despite extensive marketing and pleads.
lol just kidding. In all seriousness a change in the way people think has got to be backed up with a campaign and it's sad that in a country that's willing to spend so much funding healthcare (public hospitals; not to mention free trips to Germany etc.) can't come up with an effective primary care strategy. .....
Oh well.... I guess this'll go in the same pile liver transplants; trauma centers and the diabetic hospital (labelled things that will never be realised within our lifetime)
Excellent study
Would appreciate if you could refer me to some dietician or neutrician (don't really understand the difference) as my recent blood report showd high obesity and over weight as well.
Dear Hassan, thank you for your question. The Al-Sabah Hospital Nutrition Department appears to have a program to manage obesity. Also, Dr. Abdulwahab Al-Isa, faculty at the Department of Community Medicine at the Kuwait University Faculty of Medicine, is a local obesity expert who also maintains a clinic. Mrs. Fawzia Al-Awadi, a nutritionist, also does work in the field.
Good luck.
It's not only Kuwaitis who are experiencing all the pre-diabetic and pre-hyper-tension conditons - have you taken a look at the managerial level expats? If we are not out sweeping the streets, most of us are at desks or in similarly sedentary positions, not exercising, and eating too much. Kuwait is bad for our health! I think we ought to have some fun runs, with family walks thrown in, by torchlight, at night, if the days are too hot. We (well Me, I . . .) have got to get going!
This alarming yet very interesting article grabbed my attention when I was in the process of researching the obesity rates in Kuwait. I am currently a graduate student studying nutrition in the US, and I'm working on a project where I will be planning a program targeted towards decreasing the obesity rates in children, through health and nutrition promotion at schools. I would like to know more about the study that counted the restaurants. Was that an official study that I can source in my paper?
I would also like to know more about the POPULATION-BASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY CAMPAIGN and whether the grant for it was actually approved. I am a great advocator of such health prompting campaigns and would really like to help in promoting it after I graduate and come back to Kuwait in a couple of months.
salaam,
i am a student studying nutrition, please could you let me known in which journal i can find this study on obesity in kuwait, and the obesogenic environment.
kindest regards
salma
I find it is so true what you have said about the fact that it will be very hard for children not to become obese if their role models (their parents are in fact overweight themselves)
i was wondering me and a couple of my friends are actually working on a project that will help reduce obesity in children unfortunately we have the same problem you're facing which is FUNDING I was wondering if we could contact you to ask more about your campaign?
Salam,
Thank you for this report.
A lot needs to be done to halt and reverse the obesity/DM/CVD epidemic in Kuwait and GCC. We should be realistic in our expectations, as it normally takes at least a decade or two before you can see change, regarless of how good is your preventive strategy.
I think we need a number of aggresive interventions at the upstream, midstream, and downstream levels of health promotion. We should always take into account that this epidemic is caused by underlying socioeconomic determinants, and not simply because of lack of health literacy. This leads me to say that educating people, and raising their awareness of an issue is not enough as a preventive strategy. In addition, the ministry of health or health organizations alone cannot be very effective in curbing the obesity/DM/CVD epidemic without the collaboration of other government agencies, private sector, and civil society. A sound health policy should be complemented by healthy public policy, a combination of a top-down and a bottom-up approaches in driving change, and above all: LEADERSHIP!
All the best for Kuwait and all GCC countries.
Amer Al Kindi, UAE.
Health care products on our website side of things I hope my dear friends to choose our products so your body to be healthy the mood will be good welcome to buy
Sex Blue Pill
Blue Pills
Sex Blue Pill uk
Blue Pills Supplier
Blue Pills Manufacturer
Blue Pills Wholesaler
sex pill
sex pills
sex pills Supplier
sex pills Manufacturer
sex pills Wholesaler
sex pills Factory
buy viagra online
buy cheap viagra online uk
cheapest uk supplier viagra
cialis 20mg
cialis
discount cialis levitra viagra
Sex Blue Pill Supplier
Sex Blue Pill Manufacturer
Sex Blue Pill Wholesaler
Male Sex Pills Wholesaler
Male Sex Pills Suppliers
Male Sex Pills Manufacturer
Herbal Sex Pills Wholesaler
Herbal Sex Pills Suppliers
Herbal Sex Pills Manufacturer
sex pills products Manufacturer
sex pills products Suppliers
sex pills products Wholesalers
male enhancement
male enhancement uk
male enhancement pills
extenze
extenze Wholesalers
black ant
black ant suppliers
libigrow
libigrow Factory
3 day diet
3 day diet Manufacturer
fruta planta
fruta planta suppliers
paiyouguo tea
paiyouguo tea Wholesalers
fruit plant
fruit plant diet pills
fruit plant Manufacturer
male sex enhancer
male sex enhancer pills
male sex enhancer capsule
male sex enhancer suppliers
meizitang
meizitang suppliers
meizitang Wholesalers
condom
condom suppliers
Female Sex Medicine
Female Sex Medicine Wholesalers
Herbal Sex Medicine
Herbal Sex Medicine Manufacturer
Male Sex Medicine
Male Sex Medicine suppliers
Pilatory suppliers
Pilatory Wholesalers
Sex Delay Spray
Sex Delay Spray Manufacturer
Weight Loss Product suppliers
Sex Toys
Sex Toys Wholesaler
kamagra 100mg
kamagra jelly wholesale
kamagra oral jelly
kamagra suppliers
kamagra 100mg Manufacturer
blue pill uk suppliers
blue pill uk Wholesalers
blue pill uk Manufacturer
vmax
vmax suppliers
v-max Manufacturer
dragon power
dragon power Manufacturer
Max man 4
Max man 4 capsules
Max man 4 suppliers
African superman
African superman pills
African superman viagra
African superman tablets
African superman Wholesalers
Golden viagra
Golden viagra Manufacturer
vegetal viagra
vegteal viagra Wholesalers
herbal sex medicine
herbal sex medicine suppliers
sex medicine
sex medicine suppliers
cheap 25mg viagra
Sex Pills increase libido Wholesaler
Male Sex Medicine Suppliers
Adult Sex Pill Manufacturer
male sex pills Suppliers
sex pills for men Wholesalers
Sex Medicine For Man Wholesaler
African Superman
Chaojimengnan
Dragon Power
Herbal Viagra
herbal sex medicine
Herb Viagra Pills
African Black Ant
Green Viagra
Golden Viagra
V-Max
Meizitang
plant fruit
Paiyouguo Tea
3 Days Diet
P57 Hoodia
Black Ant
Cialis
Cialis 20mg
Kamagra 100mg
Kamagra Oral Jelly
Maxman2000mg
MaxmanIII
I eagerly feel that the understanding supplied is related to everyone . Many thanks .
coral springs locksmiths
Locksmith MARGATE FL
Locksmith Fremont CA
Aventura FL locksmith
locksmith miami
Washington Locksmith
Memphis Locksmith
Memphis Locksmith
Locksmith Memphis TN
Locksmith Memphis TN
Locksmith Memphis
Locksmith Memphis TN
Washington DC Locksmith
Locksmith Memphis TN
Locksmith Corona
Locksmith Hampton VA
Locksmith Hampton
Locksmith Hampton
Plumbing Hallandale TX
Locksmith Boynton Beach CA
Mesa Locksmith
Locksmith Carson CA
Locksmith Golden
Memphis Locksmith
Locksmith Memphis TN
Locksmith Belleville
Locksmith Boca Raton
Locksmith Miami Gardens
Locksmith Bayonne NJ
Locksmiths Union
Locksmiths Bellflower
Locksmiths Allen
Reading Locksmiths
Henderson Locksmiths
Locksmiths Golden
Locksmith Paterson
Locksmith in Lodi
Locksmith in Somerset
Locksmith Belleville
Locksmith Bayonne
Locksmith Warren
Houston Locksmiths
Locksmith Indianapolis IN
Locksmith Dallas TX
Long Beach Locksmith
Locksmith Detroit MI
Plumbing Norfolk
Locksmith Hawthorne
Locksmith Warren MI
Locksmith Reading PA
Congratulations. I am impressed with the quality of the information provided. I sincerely hope that you continue with the brilliant work done.
locksmith plano tx
Locksmith Norwalk
Locksmith Concord CA
Memphis TN Locksmith
Locksmith Atlanta GA
Memphis Locksmith
Locksmith Atlanta
Washington DC Locksmith
Washington Locksmith
Memphis TN Locksmith
Memphis Locksmith
Memphis Locksmith
Locksmith Hampton VA
Locksmith Corona
Locksmith Corona
Kendall Locksmith
Plumbing Fort Lauderdale CA
Locksmith Livingston
Locksmith Lynn
Locksmith Somerset
Atlanta Locksmiths
Memphis Locksmith
Locksmith Miami Beach FL
Naperville Locksmith
Locksmith East Orange
Locksmith Carrollton
Locksmiths Thornton
Locksmiths Henderson
Cicero Locksmiths
Locksmiths Bayonne
Locksmiths Haddon Township
Linden Locksmiths
Locksmith in Reading
Locksmith in Richardson
Locksmith Belleville
Locksmith Ann Arbor
Locksmith in Golden
Locksmith in Allen
Detroit Locksmith
locksmith Dallas
Long Beach Locksmith
Locksmith Houston TX
locksmith Indianapolis
Stamford FL Locksmith
Hawthorne CA Locksmith
Locksmith Warren MI
Cicero Locksmith
I only desire to state an thanks to the journalist of this article.Very good creativeness and the way to project your matter.Wising to possess a lot more important concepts from your side.
diet solution program review
african mango diet
Several things in here' haven't considered before.Thank you for making this type of awesome publish that is really perfectly written.is going to be mentioning lots of buddies relating to this.Maintain blogging.
motocross clothing
dirt bikes for sale
mx gear
mx gear
yamaha off road dealers
suzuki off road dealers
used motocross bikes for sale
motocross clothing
mx pants
mx Helmets