Speaking to Kuwait’s official news agency KUNA, Abir al-Bahve, Director of the Health Promotion Administration of the Ministry of Health, noted that 40 percent of the population in the country is obese and 77 percent is overweight.
Stating that his country ranks first among Arab countries in obesity and overweight, Bahve stated that obesity is a risk factor for many chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and high blood pressure.
Bahve stated that according to Kuwait statistics and World Health Organization data, one out of every 5 people in the Gulf region has an obesity problem, and in the light of the same data, the obesity rate in the country is expected to reach 52 percent by 2035.
Emphasizing the importance of participating in the obesity awareness activities of the Ministry of Health, Bahve said that the establishment of public parks and recreational areas should be encouraged in Kuwait for the early prevention of obesity, especially in children.