Experts worry about rising obesity rates

LAHORE: Professionals are concerned about the future health of our nation as childhood and adult obesity rates are increasing rapidly.

University of Health Sciences (UHS) Public Health Department Head Prof Dr Shakeela Zaman said that the recent report, released by World Health Organization last year, showed a doubling of obesity rates globally from 1990 to 2017.

While addressing a seminar on Wednesday, “Healthy Eating Awareness and Tips”, organised by UHS Family Medicine Department in collaboration with varsity’s Public Health Department, Professor Shakeela said Pakistan was among the top 10 countries facing obesity.

“As we see obesity rates and diabetes have increased, but obesity is not only linked to diabetes. There are other diseases such as hypertension, heart disease and high cholesterol which can be caused by this condition,” said the doctor.

Meanwhile, in relation to the cause of childhood obesity, Prof Shakeela said that main contributors to obesogenic environments were fast food, sweetened beverages and reduced physical activities.

Department of Public Health Lecturer Khadija Asim presented her session on “Preventive Measures of Obesity and Diabetes Mellitus”.



Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2018.