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Lebanon Faces Alarming Rise in Obesity Rates – Experts Warn of Health Dangers

Lara Abi Rafi wrote on the MTV website:

Lebanon is witnessing a rise in overweight and obesity among adults, ahead of a large number of countries to be among the leading countries, recording a rate of up to 37.9 percent. Obesity is widespread, especially in the recent period, due to changes in lifestyle and daily routine of people.

Because obesity is a health problem that has nothing to do with appearance and beauty, and is a chronic disease with serious health repercussions, it is necessary to be aware of its dangers and highlight them.

Endocrinologist and diabetes specialist Dr. Dina Maddah Al-Gharib: Obesity is the main cause of diabetes, high blood pressure, and high blood pressure, which leads to a high risk of strokes, clogged heart arteries, and muscle weakness.

She adds: There is a close connection between obesity and an increase in respiratory diseases, such as sleep apnea and increased fat on the liver, which may cause cirrhosis. In addition, obesity increases joint disease, calcification, and disabilities in daily movement, and is also considered a serious indicator of some types of cancer.

On the psychological level, obesity causes depression, lack of self-confidence, and lack of acceptance of body image. It also leads to exposure to bullying, especially among children in schools.

The rate of obesity has increased significantly in recent decades throughout the world and in the Middle East countries in particular. The reasons, according to Maddah to MTV, are mainly due to the environmental changes and food abundance that have occurred in these areas.

As for Lebanon, Maddah says: “There are no accurate national studies to accurately estimate the rate of obesity, but based on some research and reports from the Central Intelligence Agency and the World Health Organization, the rate is estimated at about 30 percent of adults, which is one of the highest in the region. Therefore, awareness must be raised from Youth, emphasis on nutritional culture and the importance of exercise.”

Therefore, awareness is necessary and essential. According to Maddah, it must start in schools by encouraging sports and strengthening control over processed foods and drinks rich in sugar, in addition to monitoring the Ministry of Health and Education, because what is most important is raising a healthy generation so that we do not witness the spread of obesity in the long term. In addition, it is necessary to review labor laws and long shifts, to give workers a lunch break, limit the time they use phones, and introduce national campaigns warning of the dangers of obesity.

To this end, the Lebanese Society for Endocrinology and Diabetes will present a conference, on the occasion of World Obesity Day, on March 9, which will include two sessions, the first is general and allows interaction with attendees and asking questions, and the second is purely scientific.

2024-03-04 04:54:10

#disease #dangerous #expect.. #avoid

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