Lead researcher Dr Ayesha Al Dhaheri says the high rate of metabolic syndrome – often linked to obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure – among young Emirati women is of concern. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National
Lead researcher Dr Ayesha Al Dhaheri says the high rate of metabolic syndrome – often linked to obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure – among young Emirati women is of concern. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National
Lead researcher Dr Ayesha Al Dhaheri says the high rate of metabolic syndrome – often linked to obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure – among young Emirati women is of concern. Mona Al Marzooqi / The National
Lead researcher Dr Ayesha Al Dhaheri says the high rate of metabolic syndrome – often linked to obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure – among young Emirati women is of concern. Mona Al Marzooqi /

High rate of obesity-related condition alarms students taking part in UAE University study


Daniel Bardsley
  • English
  • Arabic

ABU DHABI // A study has suggested a worryingly high rate of metabolic syndrome – often linked to obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure – among young Emirati women.

The UAE University recently studied 555 students aged between 17 and 25 and found that 39 of them had the condition.

S A, 23, had not heard of metabolic syndrome until the study found she had it.

“I was really worried and asked the researcher for help in understanding my situation,” she said.

Its rate among the young Emiratis is of concern, said lead researcher Dr Ayesha Al Dhaheri.

“I think finding a high prevalence earlier will be an alarm to act fast in reducing this number,” said Dr Al Dhaheri, chairwoman of UAEU’s nutrition and health department.

Metabolic syndrome is found in people who have several factors from a list linked to heart disease or Type 2 diabetes.

The study measured waists, body fat and weight of the students, and analysed their blood for cholesterol, fat and glucose.

The students also answered a questionnaire about their smoking, dietary and sleep habits.

Other studies in the Gulf had similar results. One found that 7.8 per cent of women aged 18 to 26 in Saudi Arabia had the condition, while among girls and young women aged 10 to 19 in Kuwait, the prevalence was at least 9 per cent.

These are much higher than in most other parts of the world.

The researchers note that other studies have indicated that the prevalence is 4.7 per cent among young women tested in America, 2.5 per cent in China and only 1.7 per cent in Brazil. In India, 11.7 per cent of the young women tested had metabolic syndrome.

It is also more common in older people, and one study from 2012 indicated that one in four people in the Middle East has the condition.

The paper’s eight authors, who are based at UAEU or the University of Oxford in the UK, said dietary changes and a lack of physical activity were partly to blame for the prevalence of obesity and related conditions in the UAE.

S A attributed her condition to lifestyle.

“I eat out most days and I do not go the gym as often as I should. I love eating chocolate and fries,” she said.

Researchers advised her to become more active and to eat less fast food, fried food and sugar.

“I am doing my best to reduce my weight and waist circumference. I also check my lipid profile regularly,” S A said.

A N, a 26-year-old from Dubai, was another who had metabolic syndrome diagnosed.

She said that among her friends, “most say we don’t have time to do exercise”.

“Most of the students, they are joining university or schools, so it’s easy for them to take fast food or junk food. It’s better than taking healthy food because it needs to be prepared,” she said.

“You can find healthy food in the supermarkets but they have the mentality to buy fast food.”

Dr Al Dhaheri said preventive measures were key to reducing the problems associated with the condition, which could lead to death if not dealt with.

“Early identification and regular screening of diseases should be introduced for this age group,” she said. “Also, awareness programmes should take place in schools and universities, especially when it comes to enhancing physical activity.

“The reduction in the consumption of a high calorie diet and following a healthy lifestyle can be emphasised.”

The most common characteristic linked to the syndrome among the participants was low levels of high-density lipoprotein, or “good cholesterol”, which was found among 48.8 per cent of participants.

Good cholesterol foods include beans and legumes, whole grains, high-fibre fruits, fatty fish and nuts.

The next most common characteristic was a large waist circumference, shown by 18.2 per cent.

The researchers suggest that genetic factors could also help to explain the syndrome’s prevalence.

They highlighted the “thrifty gene hypothesis” suggesting that during hunter-gatherer times, certain genes predisposed people to accumulate fat to tide them over when sustenance was unavailable.

In today’s world, such genes cause people to put on weight.

__________________________________

A dangerous combination

People are diagnosed with metabolic syndrome when they have at least three out of five related conditions – high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, low levels of “good” cholesterol, a large waist and high levels of triglyceride fats.

These conditions, several of which have no clear symptoms, are often associated with a sedentary lifestyle, being overweight and with cells becoming resistant to insulin.

According to the Mayo Clinic in the United States, having any of the five increases the risk of serious illness, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, and having several means the dangers are higher still.

People with the syndrome are advised to have a healthier diet and to exercise more. As people age, they become more prone to the condition. Depending upon age and country, people may be more susceptible. Rates are high in the Middle East.

* The National

newsdesk@thenational.ae

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The more serious side of specialty coffee

While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.

The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.

Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”

One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.

Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms. 

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

The advice provided in our columns does not constitute legal advice and is provided for information only. Readers are encouraged to seek independent legal advice. 

RESULTS

5pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,400m

Winner AF Nashrah, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)

5.30pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,400m

Winner Mutaqadim, Riccardo Iacopini, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami.

6pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner Hameem, Jose Santiago, Abdallah Al Hammadi.

6.30pm Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner AF Almomayaz, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.

7pm Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m

Winner Dalil Al Carrere, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash.

7.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 1,000m

Winner Lahmoom, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.

8pm Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,000m

Winner Jayide Al Boraq, Bernardo Pinheiro, Khalifa Al Neyadi.

Law%2041.9.4%20of%20men%E2%80%99s%20T20I%20playing%20conditions
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Sweet%20Tooth
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Analysis

Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

RESULTS

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
Winner: Ferdous, Szczepan Mazur (jockey), Ibrahim Al Hadhrami (trainer)
5.30pm: Arabian Triple Crown Round-3 Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 2,400m
Winner: Basmah, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6pm: UAE Arabian Derby Prestige (PA) Dh150,000 2,200m
Winner: Ihtesham, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
6.30pm: Emirates Championship Group 1 (PA) Dh1,000,000 2,200m
Winner: Somoud, Patrick Cosgrave, Ahmed Al Mehairbi
7pm: Abu Dhabi Championship Group 3 (TB) Dh380,000 2,200m
Winner: GM Hopkins, Patrick Cosgrave, Jaber Ramadhan
7.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Conditions (PA) Dh70,000 1,600m
Winner: AF Al Bairaq, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

Roll%20of%20Honour%2C%20men%E2%80%99s%20domestic%20rugby%20season
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWest%20Asia%20Premiership%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Bahrain%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Premiership%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Jebel%20Ali%20Dragons%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Hurricanes%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Division%201%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Sharks%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Abu%20Dhabi%20Harlequins%20II%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20Division%202%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%20III%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Sharks%20II%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDubai%20Sevens%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EChampions%3A%20Dubai%20Tigers%0D%3Cbr%3ERunners%20up%3A%20Dubai%20Hurricanes%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
'The Batman'

Stars:Robert Pattinson

Director:Matt Reeves

Rating: 5/5

UAE jiu-jitsu squad

Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)

Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)

The biog

Favourite book: Animal Farm by George Orwell

Favourite music: Classical

Hobbies: Reading and writing

 

Stuck in a job without a pay rise? Here's what to do

Chris Greaves, the managing director of Hays Gulf Region, says those without a pay rise for an extended period must start asking questions – both of themselves and their employer.

“First, are they happy with that or do they want more?” he says. “Job-seeking is a time-consuming, frustrating and long-winded affair so are they prepared to put themselves through that rigmarole? Before they consider that, they must ask their employer what is happening.”

Most employees bring up pay rise queries at their annual performance appraisal and find out what the company has in store for them from a career perspective.

Those with no formal appraisal system, Mr Greaves says, should ask HR or their line manager for an assessment.

“You want to find out how they value your contribution and where your job could go,” he says. “You’ve got to be brave enough to ask some questions and if you don’t like the answers then you have to develop a strategy or change jobs if you are prepared to go through the job-seeking process.”

For those that do reach the salary negotiation with their current employer, Mr Greaves says there is no point in asking for less than 5 per cent.

“However, this can only really have any chance of success if you can identify where you add value to the business (preferably you can put a monetary value on it), or you can point to a sustained contribution above the call of duty or to other achievements you think your employer will value.”

 

'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'

Rating: 3/5

Directed by: David Yates

Starring: Mads Mikkelson, Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Jude Law