I recently came across some disturbing news in our local newspapers. It has to do with the effects that the sweeping changes in our society over the past few decades have produced. One report, quoting a study by the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, found that the people of Saudi Arabia lead the world in the consumption of red meat and chicken.
A high consumption of meat was reported among both Saudis and expatriates in the Kingdom. The supervisor of a Ministry of Health program campaigning against obesity and overweight was quoted as saying that 51 percent of Saudi women and 45 percent of Saudi men are overweight.
Though some are overweight or obese for psychological or genetic reasons, diet and lifestyle are the main reasons for both in the Kingdom. Our food contains far too much fat and sugar; the fast food outlets all over the country serve meals that are high in cholesterol and this has only made the problem worse.
Another problem that is endemic here is that people are too generous when serving food. If they invite six guests, they have enough food for 12 or 15. What matters is not how much the people actually eat; what matters is that the table overflowing with every kind of dish. Everyone wants to impress guests and family members without considering whether there is any real need to put so much food before them.
The environment that we live in has a strong influence on obesity. Our lifestyle behavior, what we eat and how much physical activity we engage in are of extreme importance.
Another disturbing report speaks of how our children’s habits have changed over the years and how today’s younger generation spends most of its time in front of a television.
A Saudi study on children’s health has found that watching television for long hours is one reason for overweight children. Children are no longer as active as they were in the past which means the hours they spend playing outdoor are far less than in earlier times.
The problem is more evident among girls who, in the absence of women’s sport clubs, find themselves unable to exercise. It is true that we cannot change our genetic makeup, but the least we can do is alter our bad eating habits and increase our physical activity.
