Widespread obesity across the world has become a significant public health issue over the past 50 years, with nearly 900mn adults today living with diabetes according to McKinsey Health Institute (MHI).
Obesity is a substantial risk factor for at least 20 diseases or conditions that include diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and brain health disorders. MHI estimates that obesity will be linked to $2.76tn in lost gross domestic product in 2050 due to its effects on labour force participation and productivity.
Over the decades, the oil windfall has brought unprecedented prosperity and economic growth to the Gulf region, but the resultant luxury-driven passive lifestyle has taken its toll.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), diabetes is becoming the most common chronic and non-communicable disease. WHO representative in Qatar Dr Rayana Bou Haka, said in an interview with Qatar News Agency in November that the Eastern Mediterranean Region, which includes 22 countries - among them the Gulf Co-operation Council states - has the highest regional prevalence rate of diabetes at 17.6% among adults aged between 20 and 79 years.
In Qatar, the prevalence of diabetes is estimated at 17% of the population - twice the global average, according to the Diabetes Research Center (DRC) at the Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (QBRI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU).
A key driver of the development of pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes is being overweight and obese, affecting over 70% of adults (with over 35% obese) and 20% of children, according to the DRC.
Qatar has set an ambitious target to achieve diabetes control by 2030, launching an aggressive prevention campaign, Gulf Times reported early this month.
As the country prepares to host the International Diabetes Federation World Diabetes Congress in 2027, Diabetes Qatar (previously known as Qatar Diabetes Association) is intensifying efforts to identify at-risk individuals and reverse what has become one of the nation’s most pressing public health challenges.
“Currently we are focusing on preventing diabetes among the population of the country. We are engaged in several activities to achieve this goal,” said Dr Abdullah al-Hamaq, executive director of Diabetes Qatar, told Gulf Times.
The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) in November launched Qatar’s National Action Plan on Obesity, Diabetes, and Modifiable Risk Factors for Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD), 2024-2030.
It sets forth an ambitious path to improve national health outcomes, aligning with Qatar National Vision 2030 and the National Health Strategy 2024-2030.
Globally, according to MHI, the discussion on obesity is now shifting from an intractable issue to a treatable medical condition, a change that is inspiring investment and innovation across industries, including healthcare, medtech, food, and retail.
The society has two possible paths forward. It can react to obesity by emphasising medical treatment and weight management drugs, or it can also pursue a broader vision that prioritises prevention, societal shifts, and metabolic health for all.
MHI estimates that the health impact of taking the latter path could be three to four times that of the first path and lead to a $5.65tn annual GDP uplift in 2050.
Global spending on diabetes treatment is estimated to surpass $1tn annually by 2030.
According to the European Medical Journal, the wider economic burden of diabetes is far greater than previously recognised. Without accounting for informal care, diabetes is projected to cost the global economy more than $10tn over three decades between 2020 and 2050. When unpaid caregiving by family and friends was included, the estimated burden rises dramatically to almost $79tn.
For sure, all the ambitious health plans to keep diabetes and obesity under control seek to build healthier and active nations. Ultimately, it all boils down to the individuals to make their choices than medical professionals to intervene. Longer-term, monitoring daily food intake and incorporating regular physical activity is key to leading a healthier life.