|
|
EDITORIAL |
|
Year : 2015 | Volume
: 3
| Issue : 2 | Page : 47 |
|
Diabesity in Gulf Countries: What is the next step?
Yahia Mater Al-Khaldi
Editor in Chief, Department of Family Medicine, General Directorate of Health Affairs, Aseer Region, Saudi Arabia
Date of Web Publication | 16-Dec-2015 |
Correspondence Address: Yahia Mater Al-Khaldi Editor in Chief, Department of Family Medicine, General Directorate of Health Affairs, Aseer Region Saudi Arabia
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/2347-2618.171952
How to cite this article: Al-Khaldi YM. Diabesity in Gulf Countries: What is the next step?. Saudi J Obesity 2015;3:47 |
Under the patronage of his excellency Saudi Minister of Health, The International Conference on countering diabesity in Gulf countries was conducted for 3 days (20-22 October 2015) in Riyadh, the capital city of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In the opening ceremony, the Minister's talk stressed on many important points regarding the prevention and management of obesity and diabetes in Gulf countries. First of all, he mentioned that during the last three decades, the percentages of diabetes and obesity increased dramatically which made the Gulf countries within the first twenty countries in the world with high rates of obesity and diabetes. He added that these two problems have made heavy burden on economics of all countries in the Gulf and their solutions need extra effort including partnership. He mentioned that these problems represent the iceberg phenomenon which need intensive preventive interventions particularly modification of lifestyles among the population through practicing healthy behaviors not only in the middle ages but also since childhood. He stressed on integration and collaboration between all governmental and nongovernmental organizations in order to make change in the community regarding prevention of diabetes and obesity in the region. Finally, he pointed out the importance of utilization of new media and conducting research/studies on prevention and management of obesity and diabetes through integration between academic institutes and different health sectors in the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC). As a part of our roles in Saudi Journal of Obesity, we provide the readers with special section on this event including full talk of the minister, and recommendations which approved by the Scientific Committee of the conference. We hope that such recommendations will be implemented to reduce the incidence and consequences of diabetes and obesity in GCC.
|