Wall Street Journal, February 15-16, 2014
As World's Kids Get Fatter, Doctors Turn to the Knife
Obesity rates are soaring in Saudi Arabia and other wealthy Gulf states, leading to a boom in bariatric surgery on children.
Rates of overweight and obese children age 5 and under are rising in much of the world, but the problem is more severe in developed countries. Numbers are expected to rise significantly over the next decade, especially in affluent Middle Eastern countries, partly because of sedentary behavior and widespread access to unhealthy foods.
Contrary to what most planning organizations say, suburban or auto-centric lifestyles are NOT a factor in rising levels of obesity. Increases in processed food, more time spent with electronic entertainment instead of outdoor or active play and other unhealthy practices lead to unhealthy bodies. In the '50s through the 80s there was no obesity problem in the suburbs. In fact, parts of Europe where bicycle use (active transportation) is the highest are seeing rising levels of obesity at the same rate as the US. If someone tells you OBESITY is because of CARS, DON'T BELIEVE IT!
Graphs included in the article show obesity rate increases in children in different parts of the world.
Obesity levels are:
Developed countries in 2020* 14.1%
Developing countries 8.6%
Africa 12.7%
Latin America** 7.2%
Asia 6.8%
Oceania" 3.8%
Western Asia^ 29.1%
*Includes Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand and Japan
** includes the Caribbean
" excludes Australia and New Zealand
^includes the Middle East; excludes Japan
Sources: The America Journal of Clinical Nutrition; World Health Organization
The cause of the high prevalence of diabetes in the region is clear. Unhealthy lifestyles and urbanization are to blame.
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