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Sat, Jan 17, 2026 | Rajab 28, 1447 | Fajr 05:45 | DXB 
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UAE residents smoke less, exercise more, other health risks persist, study reveals
The survey provides a detailed national picture of population health and will be used to guide preventive care, health policies, and future planning across the country.
UAE residents are smoking less, becoming more physically active, and showing improvements across some health indicators.
According to the findings, smoking prevalence among adults has dropped by 2.4 per cent over the past 15 years.
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Physical activity levels have increased by 11.7 per cent over the past seven years, and obesity prevalence declined by 14.8 per cent between 2010 and 2025.
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However, the survey also finds that 59.1 per cent of adult residents aged 18 and above still do not engage in required physical activity.
Residents living with high blood pressure also fell by 2.9 per cent over the past seven years.
This is according to the findings of the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2024–2025 released by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP).
The survey provides a detailed national picture of population health and will be used to guide preventive care, health policies, and future planning across the country.
However, the survey also shows that lifestyle-related health risks remain a factor to be focused on.
More than one in five adults (22.4 per cent) are living with obesity, while 25.9 per cent have high blood pressure.
Elevated blood glucose levels were found in 12.5 per cent of adults, and 54.2 per cent were found to have high cholesterol levels.
In nutrition, the survey highlighted concerns around excessive intake of salt, sugar, and fat. Nearly all participants, 96.2 per cent, consumed more sodium than recommended, while 27.3 per cent exceeded advised sugar intake.
More than a quarter of adults, amounting to 27.4 per cent, reported drinking sugar-sweetened beverages on a daily basis.
Average daily energy intake stood at 2,852 kilocalories per person. More than half of respondents (56.1 per cent) exceeded recommended fat intake, while average daily fibre consumption was recorded at 23.1 grams.
The survey also assessed dietary diversity and found results among women and young children. About 85.1 per cent of women aged 15 to 49 and 77.9 per cent of children aged six months to five years met the minimum dietary diversity threshold, which measures the consumption of at least five essential food groups within a 24-hour period.
Among children, obesity was found to affect 16.1 per cent of those aged 6 to 17, compared to 2.2 per cent among children under five.
Vitamin D deficiency remains a major concern, affecting 49.3 per cent of adults and 69.1 per cent of children aged six to 17.
In maternal health, the survey showed strong access to care. Almost all women (99.6 per cent) visited a physician at least once during pregnancy, while 94.8 per cent attended at least four antenatal care visits, reflecting high utilisation of pregnancy-related healthcare services.
Ahmed Ali Al-Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention, said the survey provides an evidence-based picture of population health trends and highlights the importance of prevention and early intervention.
“These findings provide a clear, evidence-based picture of population health trends and reinforce the importance of prevention, early intervention, and long-term planning,” Al-Sayegh said.
“They support the UAE’s development journey in line with the leadership’s directives and government priorities, ensuring that health policy continues to place people’s wellbeing at the centre of national progress.”
He also said that the advanced digital tools and analytical technologies were used to process the data, helping generate accurate indicators and support evidence-based planning.
"The findings will also be used to assess the effectiveness of existing health policies and strengthen coordination among national health partners," said Al Sayegh.
Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using electronic questionnaires approved by the World Health Organization, available in Arabic, English, Hindi, and Urdu, alongside laboratory testing.
The survey covered more than 22,000 households across the UAE, including citizens and residents, as well as individuals living in workers’ accommodations, ensuring broad national representation.
The ministry said the survey will serve as a key national reference for developing future health programmes, expanding preventive screening, and promoting healthier daily choices among residents as part of the UAE’s long-term vision for a resilient and sustainable healthcare system.
SM Ayaz Zakir
SM Ayaz Zakir is a Senior Correspondent with a flair for extraordinary stories. His playground? Every corner of the UAE. He often ventures into remote corners of the country to capture compelling news and human interest stories.
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