Introduction:
World Anti-Obesity Day is observed on 11 October every year. The main objectives are to promote solutions to obesity crisis, to raise awareness, to improve policies on obesity treatment and its prevention. Obesity is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health". Obesity causes significant health, economic and social burdens every year.
Facts:
- At least 2.8 million people die each year as a result of being overweight or obese.
- Obesity prevention requires cooperation from all community members.
- Obesity is one of the leading causes of many chronic diseases including: heart disease, liver disease, diabetes, several types of cancers, and others.
- Obesity results from an imbalance between the calories he consumed and the calories he expended.
- Overweight and obesity are linked to more deaths than malnutrition.
- Women are more likely to have obesity than men.
- Environmental and societal impact is one of the most important determinants of an individual's dietary choice.
- A healthy diet and physical activity such as walking helps prevent obesity.
- According to WHO, 2.7 billion adults worldwide will suffer from overweight and obesity by 2025.
Official Date:
Globally: Oct. 11th, 2019.
Locally: Safar 12th, 1441H.
Objectives:
- Raising awareness about healthy dietary patterns and risks of adopting unhealthy dietary system.
- Raising awareness about obesity risks.
- Encouraging physical activity at least 30 minutes a day.
- Highlighting MOH's services to lose excess weight.