UAE Health Trends Improve Amid Lifestyle Challenges

Residents in UAE Lead Healthier Lives – Challenges Remain

The National Health and Nutrition Survey conducted by the Ministry of Health and Prevention of the United Arab Emirates in 2024-2025 provides a comprehensive overview of the health status of the country's population. At first glance, the results are encouraging: people are smoking less, exercising more, and some previously critical health indicators are showing improvement. However, alongside these positive trends, health risks related to poor lifestyle choices persist, which could have severe long-term consequences for individuals and the healthcare system as a whole.

Decrease in Smoking, Increase in Activity

One of the survey's most remarkable findings is that the proportion of smokers in the UAE has declined by 2.4 percentage points over the past 15 years. This is a significant achievement, especially considering that smoking poses a serious health and economic burden globally. Additionally, the level of physical activity has increased: over the past seven years, the proportion of people who exercise regularly has risen by 11.7%.

Unfortunately, despite these improving trends, there is still a serious concern that 59.1% of adults over the age of 18 do not meet the minimum recommended amount of physical activity. This means that although the direction of change is positive, much remains to be done in terms of encouraging society to lead a more active lifestyle.

Declining Blood Pressure Issues, Yet High Levels Persist

The proportion of people living with high blood pressure has decreased by 2.9% over the past seven years. This is a favorable development, as hypertension is one of the most common chronic diseases, which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. However, one in four adults (25.9%) is still affected by high blood pressure, highlighting the importance of preventive healthcare services and lifestyle advice.

Obesity Decline, but Still a Serious Problem

The prevalence of obesity has decreased by 14.8% between 2010 and 2025, but the latest data indicates that 22.4% of adults are still overweight or obese. Particularly concerning is that 16.1% of children aged 6 to 17 are also obese, while this rate is “only” 2.2% among those under five. This latter figure suggests that the eating and exercise habits of school-aged children are changing for the worse over the years.

Vitamin Deficiency, Sugary Drinks, and Excessive Salt Intake

According to the survey, vitamin D deficiency is a serious problem: nearly half (49.3%) of adults and 69.1% of children suffer from this deficiency. This is particularly surprising in a sunny country and suggests that lifestyle factors, such as time spent indoors or excessive use of sun protection, significantly impact vitamin supply.

Among the dietary problems, excessive salt consumption stands out, affecting 96.2% of respondents. Moreover, 27.3% consume more sugar than recommended, and 56.1% consume too much fat daily. The average daily energy intake was 2852 kilocalories, and the average fiber intake was 23.1 grams, which is relatively good.

The daily consumption of sugary drinks is also noteworthy: 27.4% of respondents reported consuming such drinks daily. This habit significantly contributes to weight gain and metabolic disorders, such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Women’s and Children’s Nutrition: Promising Results

A positive aspect of the survey is the relatively good nutritional diversity among women and young children: 85.1% of women aged 15 to 49 and 77.9% of children between 6 months and 5 years consumed at least five different food groups within a 24-hour period. This data suggests that basic nutritional awareness is already present in these groups, but there is still room for improvement in quality nutrition.

Healthcare: Excellent Access

Access to healthcare for pregnant women is nearly complete: 99.6% visited a doctor at least once during pregnancy, and 94.8% attended screenings at least four times. This demonstrates that maternal care receives significant attention in the UAE, and the infrastructure is functioning well.

The Future: Data-Driven Health Policy

The survey is not merely a summary of dry statistical data, but it also provides a foundation for health policy decision-makers in the country. The questionnaires were prepared according to WHO standards and were available in Arabic, English, Hindi, and Urdu, ensuring diverse representation of the country's population.

More than 22,000 households were visited during the survey, including citizens, foreign residents, and those living in worker accommodations. Data collection was carried out through electronic questionnaires and laboratory tests, and the latest digital tools were used to evaluate the results.

The UAE's long-term health vision points towards a sustainable, prevention-focused system. This survey will serve as a crucial compass, helping to plan future campaigns, screenings, and lifestyle-changing programs.

Summary

The health indicators are encouraging in the UAE, but lifestyle factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, sugar and salt consumption, and vitamin deficiencies require serious attention. The survey's results clearly show that improving the population's health is not merely a medical issue, but also a cultural, educational, and social challenge. Policymakers now have a tool with which they can develop the healthcare system in a targeted and data-driven manner – and the residents stand to benefit from this.

(Based on a new study.)