UAE grapples with obesity crisis fuelled by fast food, sedentary lifestyle

Behind the skyscrapers and luxurious resorts of the United Arab Emirates, a silent health crisis is looming. According to a study published in The Lancet, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among adult men in the UAE is set to rise from 84 percent in 2021 to 94 percent by 2050, placing the country among the worst affected in the world. This epidemic is fuelled by unbalanced eating habits, a growing reliance on home deliveries and a sedentary lifestyle. The consequences are serious: diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. The Emirati authorities are taking action, in particular by targeting younger generations, but significant progress still needs to be made. Our team on the ground reports.