A report from Qatar Biobank shows that the majority of the Qatari population is either overweight or obese, and are in need of drastic lifestyle changes.
The Qatar Biobank report for 2016 has shown that 70 percent of the Qatari citizens are either obese or overweight. The study also showed that 48 percent, nearly half, of the men in the country are obese, The Peninsula reported this week.
If you’re wondering what the difference between overweight and obese is, it is a matter of BMI, Body Mass Index. While both conditions refer to a state of excess weight, overweight means that one has more body weight than what is considered normal and healthy, obese however, means that a person has a BMI of over 30. Overweight BMI lies between 25 and 29.9.
The same article reported that 83 percent of the entire Qatari population do little to no regular physical exercise, while 41% are not active at all.
The results from the report come from the analysis of biological samples and information collected by Qatar Biobank from monitoring of some 5,000 Qataris and long-term residents.
They showed that 45 percent of the study’s volunteer participants have fastfood at least three times a week.
The findings from the study were revealed by Dr Nahla Afifi, Scientific and Education Manager and Acting Director of Qatar Biobank, at the Qatar Biobank Conference, which was held under the theme “The Impact of Biobanking on Precision Medicine Initiatives” at the Qatar National Convention Center.
It was also revealed that 16 percent of all Qatar Biobank visitors were diagnosed with diabetes, while 86 percent had Vitamin D deficiencies.
