Let’s Talk About Obesity

March 4th, 2023 – World Obesity Day

  • 1.9 Billion: The number of people around the world that will be living with obesity in 2035.
  • 20% Of Children: An estimated 20% of children between the ages of 5 and 19 are classified as obese in KSA.
  • 1 in 5 Adults: More than half of the adult population in Saudi Arabia is overweight, and one out of five is considered obese.
  • 37.2% Increase: The prevalence of obesity in Saudi Arabia has increased to 37.2% among adults in 2020.

How to know if you are obese?

Obesity is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher.

BMI is a measure of body fat based on your height and weight. You can calculate it with the following formula:

If your BMI is 30 or higher, you are classified as obese.

Causes of obesity:

  • Poor diet
  • Eating large amounts of fast food
  • Eating larger portions than needed
  • Drinking too many sugary drinks
  • Sitting for long periods of time
  • Lack of physical activity
  • Genetics

How to prevent obesity?

  • Reduce the number of calories consumed from fats and sugars
  • Increase the portion of daily intake of fruit, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and nuts
  • Engage in regular physical activity (60 minutes per day for children and 150 minutes per week for adults)
  • Drink enough water
  • Monitor your weight regularly
  • Consume small amounts of food at every meal