Body Fat Management & Obesity Prevention: The Case for Action

Awareness Campaign

According to the World Health Organization, Kuwait is among the top countries with an adult obesity prevalence of 37%. Since the many risk factors for chronic diseases include body fat percentage, smoking habits, and physical inactivity, assessing and increasing the awareness about these factors in Kuwaiti society remains critical and deserves intensified attention.

A Case for Action
The discovery of oil resources in Kuwait in the last century was followed by the strong socio-economic development of the country. With the increasing wealth, food consumption patterns and the lifestyle of the population changed. As agriculture in Kuwait is limited, most of the food supplies for human consumption need to be imported. Nowadays, traditional foods have been replaced by energy-dense high-fat foods. With increased food consumption and with insufficient physical activities, many non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer have increased. Enhancing knowledge about physical activity is a key element to ensure a more healthy lifestyle and consequently a productive population in Kuwait.

As the prevalence of body fat percentage and obesity among male and female young adults (aged 18-25 years) in Kuwait is rarely investigated in studies, this AGYA project aimed at filling the gap. In a first step, the body fat percentage of 600 college students at the College of Basic Education in Kuwait was measured. Next to collecting empirical data for statistical analysis, individual consultation sessions were provided to help to overcome barriers to weight maintenance.

Video Campaign 'Let´s Move for Health'
To spread awareness for a healthy lifestyle within the Kuwaiti society, a video campaign entitled ‘Let´s Move for Health’ was launched on Social Media Platforms. Short video clips in English and Arabic, provide recommendations for children, adults, elderly people, and people with disabilities on how physical activity is a crucial component for a healthy lifestyle as it helps to prevent a variety of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases. Regular physical activity can help to reduce body fat by building or preserving muscle strength and promoting strong bones. Physical exercises deliver oxygen and nutrients to one’s tissues and help the cardiovascular system of the body to work more efficiently.