RIYADH: The number of obese children is on the rise in the Kingdom because of poor diet and a lack of physical activity.

According to Faisal Al-Bawardi, assistant director of health affairs in Riyadh, who kicked off an awareness campaign in the city on Sunday, the most vulnerable are children living in cities, compared to those being raised in rural areas.

He said obesity can cause more than 20 illnesses including sleeping disorders, diabetes, high blood pressure, breathing difficulties, cholesterol, joint pain, osteoporosis, heart disease and psychological problems.

He said the Ministry of Health has held several awareness and education programs, seminars and conferences to help citizens understand the seriousness of obesity.

Haitham Al-Falah, executive director of King Saud Medical City and head of the anti-obesity program in Riyadh, said that 30 percent of the world’s population is overweight or obese, or nearly 2 billion people.

Al-Falah said there are also serious economic problems caused by people becoming obese because governments have to spend nearly 15 percent of their budgets on illnesses associated with the condition. He said almost half of the world’s population of adults would suffer from obesity by 2030.

He praised the Riyadh Health Department for its programs to raise awareness, which included the focus on an active lifestyle.