Obesity is considered a major problem in today’s world. Statistics show that there are around 1.5 billion obese people around the world nowadays. Some Arab countries are on the top ten countries in terms of the prevalence of obesity among their populations. Statistics show that 20-30% of all Saudi adults are obese, with 60% of them females. 20,000 Saudis die from obesity related disease every year.
The BBC website mentions top countries with obesity and diabetes problems. There are 4 Arab countries on the adult obese top 10 list, and 6 Arab countries on the diabetes in adults top 10 list!

There are many causes of obesity in the Arab world that are mainly related to lifestyle choices in the Arab world, such as the lack of activity, choosing unhealthy foods, comfort eating, the use of modern utilities that save effort, among others.

The impacts of obesity on Arab peoples and countries are numerous, including very high percentages of obesity related problems such as hear disease, diabetes, arthritis, as well as other problems such as reduced productivity, missed work days, higher levels of social and psychological problems related to obesity such as divorce, depression, etc.

Obesity = السمنة

Causes = أسباب

Effects = تأثيرات

Lifestyle = أسلوب حياة

Lack of activity = عدم الحركة

Unhealthy foods = الأغذية غير الصحية

Diabetes = داء السكري / السكر

Heart disease = أمراض القلب

Reduced productivity = انخفاض الإنتاجية

Divorce = الطلاق

Depression = الاكتئاب

Sources: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7151813.stm

http://www.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/A7B1AF5F-4689-448D-999E-E4B172734879.htm

http://www.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/3E0AE937-60CC-4F4A-8CC8-5127585E2F30.htm?GoogleStatID=9