Gulf countries warned of cancer risks linked to obesity

It is possible that smoking has overtaken smoking as one of the greatest risks to public health, but that obesity has not been compared to tobacco in terms of comparable global willingness to tackle the problem. .

The discovery that being overweight causes more cancer cases than four common forms of cancer should sound the alarm worldwide – but especially in the Gulf region.

Although cancer-related obesity is well-documented, the latest study – led by Cancer Research UK (CRUK) – shows that being overweight is more likely than smoking to be a cause cancers of the intestine, kidneys, ovaries and liver.

Overall, obesity is the second leading cause of preventable cancer and smoking is expected to become the leading cause of cancer among women by 2035.

Keeping in mind the warnings about an "explosion of obesity" in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, experts should say that governments should step in to impose restrictions on advertising, reduce the availability of junk food and take a "tough" approach – just as they have faced the tobacco epidemic.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), "Strong anti-smoking advertising and graphic warnings, especially those containing images, reduce the number of children who start smoking and increase the number of children." smokers who quit. "

CRUK claims that overweight British people are twice as likely as smokers and warns that millions of people are at risk of getting cancer because of their weight.

Health experts say the situation in GCC countries is probably just as bad if not worse because of the high prevalence of obesity. About one-third of the region's residents are clinically obese, according to health organizations.

Dr. Abdullah Al-Ghamdi, general surgeon and director of Saudi Arabia's bariatric surgery program Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH), said that, compared to smoking, overweight is a more important cause of certain types of Cancer.

"The GCC countries have one of the highest incidences of obesity in the world, affecting mainly children and adolescents," he said.

"The future impact of this situation is enormous – not only on health care systems, but also on national, regional and global economies. It is a chronic disease that paralyzes productivity.

"We only see the top iceberg with obesity, while smoking has been studied for decades and we know more about it."

Saudi Arabia has put in place a number of measures in recent years to create a healthier country, such as its "Quality of Life 2020" program, which aims to encourage community participation in sports and recreation. to physical activities and to introduce taxation of sweetened beverages.

Similar steps have been taken throughout the region. The UAE has taken a number of steps to combat what many see as an epidemic, for example by creating an "obesity working group", introducing a "sugar tax" and discussing policies such as a general ban on the marketing of unhealthy foods.

"Reaching the stage until the disease is established may be late. We must have aggressive preventive measures, "said Al-Ghamdi.

"It can start in schools. When a student reaches a certain weight, the student and his parents should be counseled and an action plan implemented. Schools should also commit to keeping the incidence of obesity at a minimum set percentage. "

Dr. Ali Mollah, a Saudi doctor, said the results of the CRUK study were hardly surprising. Obesity and smoking are important factors in poor health and premature death.

Mullah, who runs Tawazon, JHAH's Diabetes Prevention Program, sees obesity as a "global epidemic", with the GCC countries being "no exception".

"Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are among the top 10 countries in the world in terms of obesity, which is alarming," he said.

Mullah said the Kingdom's Vision 2030 plan has already begun to implement strategies to improve the quality of preventive and therapeutic health care services.

The plan "acknowledges that obesity and smoking are the leading preventable risk factors for chronic diseases and cancers and has therefore launched several programs that include diabetes education and awareness, at the same time. obesity and smoking cessation, "he said.

Several campaigns are also being conducted in public places to raise awareness about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and the risks resulting from obesity, lack of physical exercise and smoking, said Mullah. .

"There are programs in schools to educate children about obesity and smoking, as well as about parent involvement in the educational process. There are also new taxes on potentially harmful foods, sugary drinks and cigarettes, "he said.

"In addition, the Quality of Life Vision Program emphasizes lifestyle by developing an ecosystem to support and create new options that enhance citizen and resident participation in cultural activities." , environmental and sports.

"In this regard, parks and caravans are being established in several towns and villages."

Dr. Hussam Trabulsi, specialist in bariatric surgery at Dubai's Medcare Hospital, said the findings of the CRUK study are "very worrisome," especially given alarming "obesity rates" In the Gulf region.

"Both conditions, smoking and obesity, are badociated with serious health complications and are common to cancer," said Trabulsi. "In the same way that steps have been taken to discourage smoking, such as warnings on packaging, we should do the same with obesity to educate people."

Trabulsi's proposal is supported by Dr. El Zaqui Ladha, a consultant in bariatric and general surgery at Bareen International Hospital in the United Arab Emirates. "Cancer is alarming for everyone, especially in the GCC countries where the rate of obesity is very high," he told Arab News.

"Obesity is a public health disease that costs governments a fortune because of the expense it generates – in terms of the link with different types of cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease." Thus, in this way, obesity IS "the new smoking". "

Dr. Ladha said that "the fight must begin with educating the children".

"I think taxation can help, but not as much as public education. Education begins at home and in schools. Families, educators and the media have formed habits from an early age, "he said.

"As more and more people become aware of the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits and try to avoid these causes, we will be on the road to healthier communities."

Mullah, of JHAH, said that "awareness is essential" if Saudi Arabia – and the GCC bloc at large – wants to respond effectively and end the obesity epidemic.

"Healthy lifestyle awareness programs should be created in all schools to be part of the education program, and parents should also be involved," he said.

"Nutrition labeling and menus should be set up with nutrition counselors and made available in grocery stores and restaurants with periodic monitoring and evaluation of the services provided. This must be approved and regulated by the food and drug industry.

"The government should also have a marketing and advertising policy for sugary drinks and cheap foods that are high in sugar and fat.

"In addition, a national policy to limit the marketing of potentially harmful foods and beverages must be taken into account. A national policy such as the American Diabetes Prevention Program must be implemented for the management of obesity. "