In another study, the Diabetes Atlas survey, the incidence of diabetes in Egypt last year was 10.4 percent.

These issues [...]]]>

In a study by the International Obesity Task Force in Egypt, nearly 80 percent of women in Egypt are overweight and 46.6 percent obese. In addition, more than 25 percent of children aged 4 years are overweight.

In another study, the Diabetes Atlas survey, the incidence of diabetes in Egypt last year was 10.4 percent.

These issues were the focus of the recently held 13th congress of the Egyptian Society of Endocrinology and Obesity and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists at Hilton Green Plaza Hotel in Alexandria.

The ‘Nutritious and Delicious’ campaign by Tefal, a leading cookware and small appliance manufacturer, targeted journalists and health professionals in Egypt on the dangers of obesity leading to diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.

“Excess body fat is the largest nutritionally related problem in the world, excess intake of food (carbohydrate, protein and fat) can lead to obesity or at least the maintenance of an overweight body.”

“To a reasonable extent, body weight regulation depends on the balance between energy intake and energy expenditure, high-fat diets are more energy dense than high-carbohydrate diets, and the former favor hyperphagia (increased food intake) With high-fat diets, which are energy dense, more calories are passively ingested than with high-carbohydrate foods,” Dr Ayesh said.

“To prevent obesity a complete change of lifestyle is necessary where one strives to achieve a balanced diet and where moderation and healthy food choices are the keys to good health,” Dr Ayesh stressed.

She also underlined that obesity remains one of the several chronic diseases that have been implicated or linked to dietary and lifestyle factors. Those who are obese are more likely to suffer from life-threatening diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

Nathalie Haddad, product manager, Groupe SEB MEA, Indian sub continent, French overseas territories presented Tefal’s new range of products: Nutricook, Actifry and Vitacuisine.

These unique cooking solutions combine nutritional performance and culinary pleasure. All three products are based on advanced and innovative technologies offering high preservation of nutritional quality and maximum flavor of all foods.

“Among the products which we showcased at the event included Nutricook, a pressure cooker with four exclusive cooking programmes that offer optimum cooking for each food group retaining vitamins in food as well as the original colour and texture, making it palatable and healthy,” Haddad said.

She added that Nutricook is the only pressure cooker in the world with four exclusive programmes for meat, vegetables, starchy food, and fish which is being launched in the Middle East simultaneous with the launch in France.

In addition, the popular Tefal product Actifry, was presented at the event along with Vitacuisine, a versatile steamer. Tefal Actifry, has already sold more than a million units worldwide after its launch last year. This revolutionary fryer can cook one kilo of French fries with only one spoonful of oil, using an innovative technology, a statement said.

Haddad concluded that Tefal, the French inventor of non-stick pots and pans and manufacturer of ingenious small household appliances invests in R&D to come up with innovations in household products that people use every day.

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The workshop discussed topics including Food and health; and nutrition and neurological and metabolic disorders in Oman.

In addition to researchers from different colleges at SQU, three international [...]]]>

The Food Science and Nutrition Department of the College of Agricultural & Marine Sciences at Sultan Qaboos University organized a workshop on ‘Food and Nutrition in Health and Disease’.

The workshop discussed topics including Food and health; and nutrition and neurological and metabolic disorders in Oman.

In addition to researchers from different colleges at SQU, three international speakers presented papers in the workshop. In his paper, Dr G. J. Guillemin from the Dept of Pharmacology at the University of New South Wales in Australia, said mammalian longevity could be potentially increased by two mechanisms, namely, caloric restriction and ingestion of natural neuroprotective compounds.

Dr Samir Al Adawi, Associate Professor in the Department of Behavioural Medicine at SQU said that rising tide of obesity among population is a real challenge for the Sultanate. He said that three per cent to nine per cent of pre-school children, 12 to 25 per cent of school children, 15 per cent to 45 per cent of adolescents and 30 per cent to 75 per cent of adult male are obese in Oman.

Dr Samir highlighted some of emerging psychosocial issues relevant for understanding and coming to grip with this emerging public health problem.

According to findings, walnut diets (six per cent and nine per cent) improved spatial learning and memory.

The walnut diet also improved motor coordination reduced anxiety in elevated plus maze. These findings suggest that dietary supplementation of walnut improves behavioural abnormalities in Alzheimer’s disease mouse model, Dr Essa said.

Dr Karin Petrini from the Department of Psychology at the University of Glasgow gave a presentation on the link between dietary patterns and risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Presenting a paper titled Omega 3 DHA in Pregnancy and Neurocognitive Development, Prof Mary Harris from the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, at Colorado State University in USA said that DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is key to the developing brain, accumulating in vast amounts during infant development and during the first years of your baby’s life.

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The program was opened by Director of Health Affairs in Riyadh Dr. Hisham Mohammed Al-Nadira at Prince Sultan University.

In addition, the program is being held in cooperation with the Schools Health Education Unit of the Ministry [...]]]>

The Saudi Ministry of Health has launched an obesity control campaign to be part of its national health awareness program.

The program was opened by Director of Health Affairs in Riyadh Dr. Hisham Mohammed Al-Nadira at Prince Sultan University.

In addition, the program is being held in cooperation with the Schools Health Education Unit of the Ministry of Education, University Center for Obesity Research, Saudi Food and Drugs Authority and Prince Sultan University College of Medicine at King Fahd Medical City.

During the event, Nadira said parents should take serious interest in combating obesity among children. “Proper guidance at the right time will reduce the problems faced by children in their life,” he said.

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Recent studies show that more than half of the population in the Gulf states suffers from abnormal [...]]]>

The first joint meeting between the Emirates Cardiac Society and the American College of Cardiology formed the basis of the growing incidence of heart diseases, which is ranked as the number one cause of death in the Gulf States.

Recent studies show that more than half of the population in the Gulf states suffers from abnormal cholesterol levels, a quarter has high blood pressure and 15 -25 per cent have diabetes. These numbers coupled with a rapid increase in the rate of obesity adds up to alarming statistics.

The joint meeting hosted several distinguished doctors from the region and from the American College of Cardiology who delivered a series of informative lectures about various aspects of cardiovascular health.

The meeting began with the AstraZeneca Satellite Symposium. The topics discussed the “CEPHEUS” research project and the future of cardiovascular disease prevention.

“CEPHEUS” is a large research program involving 5,300 patients across the Gulf who are currently treated for high cholesterol levels. The project was launched last November by the Emirates Cardiac Society in collaboration with AstraZeneca, an Anglo/Swedish biopharmaceutical company, which was also the part sponsor of the joint meeting. The main aim of this project is to monitor the percentage of patients who reach their cholesterol level treatment goal while taking cholesterol lowering medications.

“We are keen to facilitate joint initiatives between professional organizations and believe that exchange of knowledge is key to improving the quality of cardiac care,” said Tarek Rabah, President of AstraZeneca Gulf.

Dr. Anthony N. DeMaria, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology stressed on the increasing burden of heart diseases worldwide. “In India, more people are dying from atherosclerosis of heart disease than of infectious diseases,” he pointed out.

There were also sessions on cardiac infarction and treatment, cholesterol management guidelines and general cardiology conducted as part of the meeting.

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“Obesity has become one of the major epidemics with the latest statistics from World Health Organization showing one billion people as obese [...]]]>

The Supreme Council for Health recently saw the conclusion of “Healthy Steps to Doha” programme, initiated in association with Supreme Education Council (SEC) to help increase health awareness and combat child obesity in schools.

“Obesity has become one of the major epidemics with the latest statistics from World Health Organization showing one billion people as obese and childhood obesity tripling over the last 30 years. Worldwide, approximately 22 million children under the age of five are obese,” said H E Abdullah bin Khalid Al Qahtani, Minister of Public Health and General Secretary of the SCH.

“Qatar strives to provide all the possibilities and means to protect public health by promoting various programmes, improving supervision of food and medicine, and developing and implementing strategies to raise awareness of health and dissemination of sound and effective practices,” the minister said. The healthy steps programme in Qatar was implemented in collaboration with a New York-based programme “Healthy Steps to Albany. The teams from Abu Obaida Independent Preparatory School, Rouqaya Preparatory School and Al Jazeera Academy underwent rigorous health education lectures, healthy cooking demonstrations and physical activities and games which were converted into steps around Doha.

The programme was aimed at supporting teachers to teach students about nutrition science and healthy food. It encouraged students to adopt a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy and exercising regularly. Parents were also encouraged to follow suit and support their children in living better and healthier lifestyles.

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The campaign addressed weighty matters like obesity and related diseases such as diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure. Free check ups and consultations were offered by [...]]]>

The fourth and last phase of Dubai Municipality’s public health campaign under the slogan “Together for a healthier lifestyle” was held in the jogging track of Jumeirah Open Beach recently.

The campaign addressed weighty matters like obesity and related diseases such as diabetes, high cholesterol and blood pressure. Free check ups and consultations were offered by the medical staff of the Clinic and Medical Services Section of the Public Health Services Department of the Municipality in collaboration with doctors and specialists from outside the Municipality. Doctors advised the public on the benefits of walking regularly during the campaign, which was supported by Almarai.

The campaign was mainly organized to create awareness among the public on the diseases resulting from the pressure of modern life, and promote the health services provided by the Municipality as well as promoting the walking tracks and increasing the number of visitors to these facilities.

Besides, the campaign was aimed at establishing an initial database on the types and levels of chronic diseases among the members of the community, and having a positive interaction with them to understand their needs regarding Municipality services, in addition to conducting tests for sugar, pressure, cholesterol, Body Mass Index, and to provide medical advice.

During the first phase of the campaign at Al Khawaneej a total of 150 people participated, 90 men and 60 women. Out of these 80% people were practicing walking and some men were also playing football. The tests conducted during the campaign revealed that 20 people (13.3%) were having high blood pressure and 28 people (18.6%) were reported with high blood sugar and 60 people (40%) with high cholesterol.

The second phase of the campaign held at Safa Park saw the participation of 211 people, 78% men and 21% women. Out of these 75% people were found to be practicing walking. The tests conducted among the participants revealed that 20% were having high cholesterol, 14% people with high blood sugar and about 19% with high blood pressure.

The third phase the campaign at Al Mamzar Park has resulted 311 practitioners, 236 males and 65 females. Out of these 234 people were found to be practicing walking, 124 people were found having high blood pressure and 131 people with high blood sugar.

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The lecture will comprise of a presentation and then a question and answer session. It will cover all essential topics in fighting obesity and promoting a [...]]]>

Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC) will hold the third monthly public lecture on Obesity under the title of “Walking Away from Obesity” on Tuesday evening in the auditorium of SKMC.

The lecture will comprise of a presentation and then a question and answer session. It will cover all essential topics in fighting obesity and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Diseases related to obesity will also be discussed.

The lecture will be presented by Dr. Abdelrahman Nimeri, Director of the Bariatric & Metabolic Institute – Abu Dhabi of SKMC and Dr. Mohammed Al-Haddad, Specialist Surgeon at the Bariatric & Metabolic Institute – Abu Dhabi of SKMC.

The lecture aims to raise awareness regarding the many issues related to obesity and provide attendees with information regarding the dangers of obesity. Further, it will be an opportunity for those who may be considered to be morbidly obese people to find out about some of the medical and surgical treatments options.

In addition, the physicians will explain to the audience the potential complications of bariatric surgery.

Dr. Nimeri stated, “Attendees might also have the opportunity to meet some of the patients who had a bariatric surgery or is being evaluated to have one. The invitation is directed to the public from all ages, and we highly encourage them to attend this gathering to help raise their awareness about healthy lifestyles and obesity prevention.”

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Speaking on the sidelines of the recent Saudi Conference on Urological Tumors in Sharm Al-Sheikh in Egypt, Abu Samra [...]]]>

The Kingdom registers 200 cases of kidney cancer per year, most of them in the regions of Makkah, Riyadh and the Eastern Province, according to Ashraf Abu Samra of the Saudi Urological Society.

Speaking on the sidelines of the recent Saudi Conference on Urological Tumors in Sharm Al-Sheikh in Egypt, Abu Samra said that studies showed a growth in kidney cancer worldwide, but particularly in the Arab World.

“It’s important that persons with a family history of kidney cancer inform their doctors so that they undergo the necessary periodical tests,” he said.

Abu Samra, who was chairing the conference, described the causes of kidney cancer as depending on “lifestyle and profession”.

“Smoking, for example, increases the chances of developing cancerous kidney cells by approximately 40 percent,” he said. “Giving up smoking can reduce those chances, but anyone who’s ever smoked will always be at more risk.” “Obesity is a second factor, and represents a factor in 20 percent of cases,” he said.

Family medical history is a third factor, while Abu Samra also noted that males were more vulnerable than females.

“That may be explained by the fact that men smoke more than women and are more exposed to chemicals in the workplace,” he said.

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Hanif issued instructions to dispatch a number of surgeons for training in the Obesity Surgery Centre at Gothenburg [...]]]>

Health Minister HE Dr Hanif Hassan, has visited the Rashid Diabetes Centre at Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Hospital in Ajman, where he was briefed about equipment, curative and surgical services of the centre ahead of its official inauguration.

Hanif issued instructions to dispatch a number of surgeons for training in the Obesity Surgery Centre at Gothenburg University in Sewden as per policies of the ministry to provide hospitals with professional and skilled cadres.For her part, the technical director of centre Dr Einas Kamil, briefed the minister on setting up of the specialised surgical team at centre.Earlier UAE Ministry of Health signed an agreement with Sweden’s Global Health Partners, whereby the Swedish company will set up and run a combined obesity and diabetes clinic in Ajman at the Sheikh Khalifa Hospital.Under the agreement, Global Health Partner became responsible for leading and running the Rashid Diabetes Clinic, which is the first of its kind in the region, with a combination of highly specialised obesity and diabetes care. The clinic is immediately adjacent to the public Sheikh Khalifa Hospital.Global Health Partners will also prepare medical training programmes for the clinic’s staff and coordinate with overseas experts. Sweden’s Global Health Partner was founded in spring 2006. Today Global Health Partner operates 12 clinics and has offices in Gothenburg, London and Stockholm. So far Global Health Partner is focusing on four therapeutic areas/Service Lines.

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