Childhood Obesity Alert - Khaleej Times - Dr. Tomson @Universal

Dr. Tomson D. Thomas
Consultant, Pediatric Surgery


Khaleej Times
Child obesity is rising, warn doctors
Jasmine Al Kuttab/Abu Dhabi

Filed on November 30, 2017

It is up to the parents to stop the alarming numbers from increasing, said the doctors in the UAE, who urged them to ensure the health of their children come first.

Child obesity cases will continue to rise in the UAE, affecting 14.62 per cent of its '20 years and under' population by 2020, up from 12.40 per cent in 2013, according to the World Obesity Federation.
It is up to the parents to stop the alarming numbers from increasing, said the doctors in the UAE, who urged parents to ensure the health of their children come first.
"The very first thing we need to do is to raise awareness about the rising numbers. As doctors, we know that these numbers are severely increasing, but common people don't," said Dr Tomson Thomas, consultant, pediatric surgeon, Universal Hospital.
Dr Thomas said childhood obesity in the UAE is higher than the international level in developed countries, including the US and the UK.
He said childhood obesity in male children in the UAE are 1.8 times more than the international level, and female children are 1.9 times more. "The next generation will be more prone to diseases, including heart diseases, liver diseases, lung diseases and metabolic diseases, all because of the current high figures. The future will face severe problems if the numbers don't decrease now." 


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