In the United Arab Emirates, the opening of centers for weight control is planned, classes in which will be free.
To help fight the overweight and obese people of the UAE, the Ministry of Health and Prevention has launched the first Weight Control Center (WCC) in the Emirate of Sharjah. The authorities plan to open such centers in each emirate. Classes in them will be free.
WCC launched under the "National Program for Combating Obesity in Children and Adolescents." Currently, the courses are designed only for adults, and children will be able to access the courses in the second stage of the program.
"We want to offer a healthy, non-surgical way to lose weight," said Dr. Fadila Mohammed Sharif, director of the education department at the Ministry.
People with a BMI (body mass index) of more than 25 are sent to clinics from the primary health care centers under the Ministry.
“We are taking an interdisciplinary, comprehensive approach to treating obesity, which includes nutritional correction, physical activity and cognitive-behavioral therapy,” said Dr. Sharif.
The centers, which will be opened in Dhadna, Fujairah and Al-Dhaid, will have special kitchens and facilities for interactive classes.
"Obese patients from the medical centers of the Ministry will undergo laboratory tests, discuss the results with the doctor, and then be transferred to the WCC to consult with a nutritionist and health education specialist with periodic supervision for three to six months," added Dr. Sharif.
Studies show that 47.5% of people in the United Arab Emirates are overweight and another 13% are obese. The average BMI in the UAE is 25.6. Forty percent of children and adolescents aged 11 to 16 years and 20 percent of children under 11 years of age in the UAE are obese. Obesity rates for expats are higher than for emirates.
