Qatar world's most overweight nation - report

Posted by: Lambdavi Wednesday, 23 May 2012 4:13 PM[UAE] - Italy

I am Italian but my wife is a Christian arab, so I can say I know and enjoy the best of both worlds.
In the old days people were not necessarily "fit", but there was a remarkable tendency to be "lean"- most home did not have heating, few copuld boast an elevator/lift, most people had to walk to work (or used public transport) I personally walked quite a few Km/day to go to school and back.
Nowadays everybody will take the elevator/lift even ofr just one floor, will drive to go shopping even if you waste more time looking for a place to park than you would by walking there, everybody stuffs their faces with unnecessary sugars and fats in all forms and sizes...
When people eat in a balanced way, even the mildest exercise is sufficient; however, I do not see "Quatari girls doing athletics" in the future, just like I do not see it happening in any other place in the Arabic world, for cultural reasons.
A girl from a "proper" family will lead a quiet and dignified life until she is wed.

Posted by: Eduardo Kawak Tuesday, 17 April 2012 4:39 PM[UAE] - Qatar

This article fails to mention that the statistics the Daily Mail report cites relate to the Qatari population only, not the entire population of Qatar which includes over 1.5 million expats.

I see the Qatari health issues as being an unwelcome side effect of the country sharing its immense wealth with its people only two generations out of relative poverty, who now have everything served to them on a platter.

The Labour Law that excludes housemaids, drivers and labourers, and the mandatory business model of 51% Qatari ownership for any business in the country regardless of the contribution of the Qatari owner to the running of the business, also seem designed to make life as easy as possible for Qataris.

The above contribute to the potential lack of necessity for Qataris to even get out of bed in the morning.

The small mercy is that 50% of Qataris are not obese. Education and responsible parenting would help, but the govt. could also look at how much it favours the locals.

Posted by: His Excellency Dr Paul Tuesday, 17 April 2012 11:52 AM[UAE] - Dubai, UAE

Diet is only part of the problem; the biggest issues that need to be tackled are lack of exercise, lack of self-respect and lack of willpower.

Nobody should look in the mirror if obese and be happy to accept that. It is 100% under your own control, it all goes in through that little hole under your nose. You just need to want to do something about it, and have the mental strength to carry it through.

If you give kids everything they want, without having to work for it, they're going to grow up fat. Kids need to learn willpower just like they need to learn to read and write.

Posted by: Thamir Ghaslan Sunday, 15 April 2012 9:15 PM[UAE] - Saudi Arabia

Cut your carbs for maximum effect!

I've cut rice and bread from my daily diet and dropped 5 kilos, from 80 to 75, in two weeks. Used to be chicken and rice and now chicken only.

People wonder about obesity and diabetic, over consumption of rice is the problem.

I look at "low fat" and "low calories" in a different light now, people over consume carbs and sugars here.

Posted by: Mick Monday, 16 April 2012 3:39 PM[UAE] - uae

It's not just diet. Anyone that is fit will tell you that they don't sit on their bum all day eating granola and tofu. They usually eat burgers and fish and chips and drink beer etc but they burn it all off. It's exercise that is the key. The body's metabolism must be built up at an early age or it will be slow for the life of the person. Sometimes you have the right genes but local kids need to get out. I actually saw a 5 year old kid in a stroller the other day in MoE pushed by a nanny. I couldnt believe it. Have a good diet but stop being seated 50% of the day. Australian scientiests did a report that stated that if a person sits for morethan 11 hours a day there is a 50% or more chance they will die within 3 years if maintaining this lifestyle.

Posted by: qathar Sunday, 15 April 2012 5:12 PM[UAE] - kenya

17 percent thats tooooo much population.they must do samthing to redice the thing.