NY times article on OBESITY in Qatar

Obesity in Qataris is too high because they are too lazy...They don't move a lot, they only move when they are eating lol.

^1 - Eat less of 'red meat'

5 - Walk to the grocery store around the corner instead of using ones Land Cruisers to get there

^3- Dont marry your cousin --- LOLS

4. Do not let your house maids do all the house works.

Why are Qatari taking this article so personal??!

The proof is quite evident.... Just walk around one the Malls!..... I always thought having big tummy in Qatar is sign of a status with the men in Qatar like wearing Rolex!!

The message is clear:

1- Eat less

2- Take regular exercise

3- Don't marry your cousin

1/3 for your food

1/3 for your drink

1/3 keep it as space

lol lafanga.

I arrive in 2 days , will they feed me at the Ramada during the day?

a calorie is not a calorie!...hehehe

What comes along with the calorie is vitamins, minerals, anti oxidants, essential amino acids and all that! Some calorie can sit in your arteries for ever and other calorie can help you think better and live better.

example, before going on a hot date try those and get back to me:

day one: have a bag of cheetos and a pepsi

day 2: have 12 oysters lol

thx

Why are all girls in Qatar so fat?

Then so much attitude despite being so fat???

Looks like I have been missing out on all the action here... I agree with qatarison... health is wealth for all i know... the advent of all these fast food chains and excessive dependence on it is posing to be the treat... the government needs to educate folks here, through ad campaigns, medical check up camps, media etc... which i guess is relatively easy to accomplish considering the size of the nation... good values are distilled over time and at a steady pace... awareness is the key..

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the junk food isn't so much of a problem, after all a calorie is a calorie. The problem is a combination of overeating (seriously do you need 3 straight meals plus snacks every day??), and inactive lifestyles. One actually has to make time to exercise as sitting at a desk doesn't burn off those meals you've been eating, whereas in past times people would be burning off a shed load of calories as part of their work.

Work out your basal metabolic rate, add in your energy use from day to day activities then eat a diet that will give you an appropiate number of calories...and stick to it.

Energy in will always be stored unless it's the same or less than energy out.

Obesity is an epidemic in the whole WORLD!! Our life style is changed dramatically - we drive everywhere instead of walk, we eat junk food because we couldn't be arsed to cook at home, increase of alcohol intake - because we do like socialize more and often this days lolz including me!!! VEry lazy humans, No exercise at all or very poor attempt to keep fit. etc etc

Basic Education should be made mandatory. Rest will follow.

i can relate on this article tnxs for posting.

I really feel sorry for some of the kids, they don't have any idea about healthy food, they just eat what's put in front of them...seriously it's not normal for a little boy to have tits big enough to warrant a bra. I don't know why but I don't see near as many obease girls...is there a reason for this or am I just not noticing?

Actually I just had a thought, in the past (western world) being fat was seen a status symbol of the rich (don't ask me why, i guess it was because you had to be rich to get fat), now things have reversed with being in good shape turning into a status symbol of the well off (organic food, gyms, jogging, all that time consuming and expensive jazz that the poor cannot afford).

Is Qatar going through the same thing as the west once was?

I would love to do a study comparing BMI against wealth in the Qatari population to test this hypothesis.

Either way I hope the Gulf wakes up and starts to do something about this, for their sake.

qataris are fat. The whole qatari lifestyle seems to be built up around being served. Lazy lazy lazy and fat.

I hope they just keep getting fatter. Eat fatties eat !!

qataris are fat. The whole qatari lifestyle seems to be built up around being served. Lazy lazy lazy and fat.

I hope they just keep getting fatter. Eat fatties eat !!

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Really? I did not know there was fat people in Qatar?

I can't tell a difference because they all wear those white long dresses that makes them look purposely fat.

It must be the sand in my eyes that it is making view in double vision the Fat Qataris.

This is a really good read for me, Must admit that you are one of the best bloggers I ever saw.Thanks for posting this informative article.

Regards,

such a nice article,,i share it in facebook... its really alarming..if i were a Qatari and i have the same bank account like them, i'll surely establish gyms and clubs and encourage everyone for a healthy lifestyle.(**,)

Let them eat themselves to death. Who cares?

@ genesis,my concern stems from the fact that i live here even though i'm not local & as a doctor this concern comes naturally to me...anyways,my point was this only,that everyone be mature about it & accept there is a problem,like you have,instead of getting defensive & making an issue about the article itself...i mean,will NYT not having written the article change anything? no it wouldn't,the article increases awareness about the issue,that's all...SCH is making efforts but this isn't a problem that will go away overnight,there are lot of issues factored in,but it's a step in the right direction,good luck to them...

Genesis correctly pointed out that this is a problem experienced by the whole Arab Peninsula. And I feel the reason is that people were not educated enough to understand. But, now this has been understood by the new generation to some extend. The issue is that it is not accepted by some, reason being they love their Fries, Burger and Cola more than their own lives.

Further, Qatarisun was right about the B'day parties. "I had ma son's B'day party at McDonalds for 50 kids cause I am rich enough to afford it", its just an example. As long as this mentality exists, there will be no answer to the problem, irrespective of Nationality or Region.

of course, Health and Wealth DO go together!

Health and Ignorance don't go together, this is true!

If they have no a clue about healthy food, if they are not accustomed to eat properly, if huge amount of harmful snacks and junk food is served on their kid’s birthday, if McDonald is considered the best place to celebrate the birthdays of children ( i personally find such places killing, and if i could, i would sue the parents who let their children eat at McDonald’s and other similar junk food outlets) ,..so what to expect? . This brings up wrong food style, bad eating habits, develops addiction to fat, calorie, junk food .. and later it is difficult to reorganize your eating preferences...

so it’s not about “wealth” and health.. it’s about ignorance, lack of comprehension and awareness

Read my post properly, i wasn't denying the given facts.

I said that obesity as an epidemic is high in the whole Arab peninsula,Not limited to Qatar. As been presented in many studies

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7151813.stm

Again this is based on the standard BMI calculation. Which have been proven lately that can differ from one ethnic group to another

This Raise in BMI have resulted in the Past few years only. which is clear indication that changes in lifestyle is a prime factor that have contributed in the escalating results on Obesity among young adults & women In Particular

If you thing this issue is taken up lightly , you're mistaken. As the supreme council of Health in coordination with Qatar Foundation is taking this matter very seriously

Local newspapers have reported of future plans to tackle the problem of obesity . Whether from community awareness programs conducted by the Qatar Diabetes Association(http://www.qda.org.qa/output/Page2.asp)

or through Raising Awareness among teens in Government schools

Is this enough?

NO, I think the supreme council of health should take more active measures like banning of trans fat at all food establishments encountered by locals and encourage people to exercise

Still, i don't understand why are you so concerned? since it's a local matter...

@ genesis,who's shouting mate?!...i believe it's called shouting when one writes in ALL caps unlike the 3 words i stressed on in my whole post...calling that shouting is a bit of an exaggeration don't you think?!...

As for the article,if you read it carefully,it states clearly that Qatar leads the region in obesity & diabetes,so obviously the article is on the country with the highest figures in the region,makes sense does it not?...i say again,admit you have a problem instead of saying "oh we're not the only ones with this problem."...you're not,UAE,Saudi & Kuwait have these problems as well BUT they're bigger countries than Qatar & yet have less number of obese & diabetic people so really mate,the biggest problem is your own,might be a good idea to deal with that first...

What's the problem? Let the fat people be fat. They will die sooner. The slim ones will live. Who cares?

.....

Great & insightful article

I wish you post it here

I wanted desperately to comment on it, but as you may know

I was sacked as part of the witch hunt ;)

Sorry to hijack the thread

why are you shouting!??

While i do agree with what was written in this article. I still find it strange that NYT is interested to feature an article on Qataris health instead of looking at gulf as a whole. As the situation is not much different in other gulf countries.

It's the lifestyle and over exposure to fast food that have made obesity epidemic

But there is a diet & exercise culture now on the rise

I think with proper awareness the number will be reduced.

couldn't of said it better myself

Get off QL and have good nights sleep WK...you will gain weight in no time:-)

UkEng I will prefer to stay skinny :P

@ sugarQtr,unlike here where we're used to the rubbish sad excuses that call themselves "newspapers",the New York Times is a REAL newspaper...SIXTH globally for obesity with the highest rate amongst males in the WHOLE of the middle east & North Africa & FIFTH globally for diabetes amongst a population of a mere 250,000 in a country smaller than a single state in my home country is in my humble opinion a matter for real concern...

There are regular articles in the Gulf Times & Peninsula(cut & paste jobs or bought from IFP or Reuters of course) about the obesity problem in the US,going by your argument,how is American obesity any of Qatar's concern? yet you wouldn't find Americans making the same argument because they understand that articles such as this are meant to serve as reminders to ALL readers,IRRESPECTIVE of nationality,to watch their diet & exercise regularly...once again,rather than admitting there is a real problem & focussing on solutions,typical knee-jerk reactions on display here..."numbers are less compared to the US" "what is the US concern with Qatar's obesity?"..."American fast food is the cause" etc...please people,YOU HAVE A HUGE PROBLEM,try dealing with it instead of making a fuss about a newspaper article that merely pointed out an existing situation...

@ justbecause,yeah mate,like McDonald's held a gun to Qatar's head & said "let us into your country" right?...because regular consumption of that MASSIVE platter full of rice cooked in butter & the full lamb & the rich,super sugary sweets in no way contribute to this problem right? it's ALL because of the them Yanks & them forcing their Big Mac's on us right?...

WK get pregnant you will put on weight..:)

that the only place in the whole wide world where I have seen so much chocolate and candy sold and eaten is here in Qatar.

When I first walked down those chocolate aisles of Carrefour and the other stores in Qatar during my first months here, I was astounded at the amount of candy being sold and purchased.

trust me americans and the american industries are 2 different camps

Can someone help me put on some weight :(

ROFL New York times are worried about Qatars obesity problems. So ironic and so full of shit. Typical nosey attitudes!!!Yes Qatar has obesity issues and most of it comes from "American fast foods". Yep Americans are working on their obesity problems, they are making sure other countries are eating their very own junk food. Spreading their love as usual. Hypocrites.

What is with New York Times and Qatar?

Who cares about Obesity in Qatar? Why would it be of the American's concern?

LOL Walla this is too funny.

Now now...let's not hound Qatari-femme for her comments. Statistics apart, obesity is a serious problem, be it the US , Qatar, India or elsewhere. Gone are the days when children would beg parents to let them go outdoors and play with friends. All that kids want to do these days are update Facebook pics, play console game and order in fast food.

The first step is self-awareness. As Gadarene correctly mentions, accepting that there is a problem is very important. No amount of research, pills, diet programs and goading is going to help unless a person or family sits down and takes serious note of his/her/their current health condition.

Simple solutions can make a very big difference:

1. Cook healthy food at home don't order in;

2. use healthy cooking medium like canola and sunflower oil;

3. reduce/cut intake of artery clogging food such as margarine, fatty cuts of meat, deep fried food, fizzy drinks, junk fast food;

4. eat appropriate quantities at fixed intervals;

5. encourage and participate in physical activities;

6. exercise 3-4 times a week (walk/jog/stretch/breathing/yoga etc.)

Even if the US admits it has a problem, it has a very very long road to recovery (perhaps decades). It is impossible to wean people off a diet of 3 daily meals at the restaurant; skittles,twizzlers,doughnuts and pop in between. Afterall, it is a corn and high fructose corn syruph based economy!

For Qatar, since the local population is still small and, for the most part, young; redemption is not a pipe dream. Good health is the true wealth one should possess.

@ QatariFemme,"not that huge in terms of number"???...are you joking?...for a country not even the size of ONE of the states in my home country,India,you rank FIFTH & SIXTH respectively in terms of obesity & diabetes IN THE WORLD,so quite frankly,your statement makes no sense @ all...

As for the US,you see unlike you,they admit they have a problem & are working towards finding a long-term solution...there are enough articles being written about the obesity issue in the US yet you don't have Americans turning around & saying "well at least we're better than Qatar,there's just 250,000 of them in number in a country smaller than a single American state,yet they rank fifth in the world for obesity."...THAT my dear is the difference in attitude between them & you...they admit they have a problem,you don't...& end up appearing foolish by making statements like the one you made above...step one to dealing with a problem is admitting you have one,try that for a change,it just might work...good luck...

The percentage of obese people in Qatar is really alarming, just look around outdoor eating joints and see for yourself. And this explains why the number of people suffering from Obesity related diseases is on the increase (also contributed by the culture of marrying from the same family tree).

Qatari femme, 2 things are wrong with what you said, #1 of course its not a problem in terms of numbers because US population is 300 times bigger than Qatar and, as the article mentions, this only is between the 250,000 Qatari's. The percentage of the obese people is where the problem is around 40% of Qatari men are obese and around 45% of Qatari women are obese! Are these not outrageous numbers?!!?! #2 you can't compare countries like that, thats unfair, how about we work on a solution to this obesity problem around the world.

Funny !

What I've seen in the US is real obesity amongst children,teenagers, adult, and elders.

Yes, there is a problem of obesity in Qatar, however; it's not that huge in terms of number.