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Firm holds month-long anti-obesity campaign

The WHO statistics show that the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the UAE and other Middle East countries ranges from 74 per cent to 86 per cent in women.

Dubai — Obesity, recognised by the World Health Organisation as a global epidemic that is a leading cause of many chronic illnesses including heart diseases, diabetes and cancer, is growing at an alarming rate in the region.

In a bid to fight this fatal condition, VLCC has embarked on a world-wide campaign to help people lose the unwanted flab.

Taking the Orange Pledge against obesity, VLCC International has been conducting a campaign this month, which also marks the global Anti-Obesity Day on November 26. Driving the campaign from the UAE, VLCC is inviting people to take the Orange Pledge with them from around the world.

“It is alarming to see how obesity and overweight are becoming an epidemic health issue today. The WHO statistics show that the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the UAE and other Middle East countries ranges from 74 per cent to 86 per cent in women and 69 per cent to 77 per cent in men. These data indicate a much higher prevalence of obesity among adult women. What is even more alarming is that over 40 million children under age five today are obese, according to WHO,” said Prafull Dwivedi, CEO, VLCC International.

The WHO statistics state that overweight and obesity are leading risks for global deaths, with over 3.4 million deaths among adults attributed to obesity or overweight ever year. In addition, 44 per cent of the diabetes burden, 23 per cent of the ischaemic heart disease burden and between 7 per cent and 41 per cent of certain cancer burdens are attributable to overweight and obesity.

Obesity and overweight are defined by WHO as an accumulation of excess body fat, to an extent that may impair health. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the obesity epidemic is not restricted to industrialised societies; in developing countries, it is estimated that over 115 million people suffer from obesity-related problems.

The obesity campaign by VLCC is part of its annual Anti-Obesity Drive which is in its 10th successful year now. Through this drive, VLCC is on a mission to lead people on the track of good health by helping them lose weight the right way and develop a healthy lifestyle to maintain the ideal weight.

The Anti-Obesity Drive is being held across prominent locations in the UAE where people can take the Orange Pledge with VLCC and avail free health check-ups and consultations with its panel of experts on dietary recommendations, activities and simple lifestyle tips.

VLCC has also partnered with schools, clubs and corporates in the UAE to conduct free health camps for children and adults throughout this month. The campaign has also been taken online where those taking the Orange Pledge with VLCC become eligible to come into the outlets for free consultations with slimming experts and avail goodie bags and various offers, including massive discounts and a free-week at VLCC in November.

“Obesity and overweight have become a rampant health hazard today and need to be tackled urgently. The statistics are extremely alarming. However, the silver lining lies in the fact that the condition is reversible. We can take corrective measures towards it, and take back the charge of our health,” Kiram El Tbayli, slimming specialist at VLCC, says.

Speaking on the condition and its causes, El Tbayli said: “Apart from the genetic and hormonal causes, poor lifestyle choices and food habits are some of the factors that contribute to obesity. General lack of physical activity given the nature of the desk-oriented jobs today, coupled with high intake of fatty and energy-rich foods, are becoming major contributors to the rising issue.”

news@khaleejtimes.com