UAE's Rising Obesity Crisis by 2050

The Global Obesity Crisis: UAE and World's Challenges by 2050

Obesity is becoming an increasingly significant issue worldwide, and recent studies suggest that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) cannot escape this trend. According to a fresh report published by The Lancet, the obesity rate in the UAE could reach 95% by 2050, placing the country among the highest in the world. This problem is not unique to the UAE but also affects neighboring Gulf countries like Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Oman, where the obesity indicators are also high.

Obesity Increase in the UAE

The study indicates that the percentage of overweight and obese adult males over 25 in the UAE was 84% in 2021, but by 2050, this rate may rise to 94%, the highest globally. Among women, this rate could climb to 95%, placing the UAE fourth in the global ranking, behind Egypt, Tonga, and Kuwait.

The situation is also alarming for youths, especially those aged 15 to 24: the overweight and obese rate for young people was 62% in 2021 but could rise to 81% by 2050, again one of the highest levels worldwide.

Causes and Challenges

According to doctors and health experts, obesity's increase is due to several factors. Modern lifestyles, processed and fast-food consumption, excessive screen time, and lack of physical activity all contribute to the UAE's growing obesity.

A researcher at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute highlights that obesity prevention must become a central element of governmental policies. However, the surgeon at Aster Hospital sees potential opportunities in this situation.

“The demand for convenient foods and sedentary activities contributes to this trend. However, it also creates opportunities for individuals and communities to adopt healthier habits, such as balanced diets and active lifestyles, supported by innovative health initiatives,” he stated.

UAE’s Proactive Approach

The CEO of the PureHealth group asserts that the UAE is addressing health challenges with a proactive and preventive approach.

“We are working towards improving the health of the entire population. We are creating an ecosystem where everyone collaborates to achieve a long and healthy life, ensuring access to quality health services,” he mentioned at the Investopia 2025 conference.

Ramadan as a Weight Loss Opportunity

Ramadan can be an ideal period for UAE residents to start the journey to weight loss.

“The regulated fasting periods promote discipline and mindful eating, potentially leading to weight loss and improved insulin sensitivity. Studies suggest fasting during Ramadan can positively impact body weight and blood sugar levels,” he explained.

Global Trends

The Lancet study reveals that obesity is becoming an increasing problem not only in the UAE but worldwide. Younger generations are gaining weight faster than their predecessors, and obesity is appearing at an earlier age, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and various cancers.

For example, among men born in high-income countries in the 1960s, obesity was 7% by age 25, but this rate rose to 16% for those born in the 1990s, and projections suggest it will be 25% for those born in 2015.

The study reports that in 2021, nearly half of the world's adult population, about one billion men and 1.11 billion women, were overweight or obese. Among high-income countries, the United States leads, with 42% of men and 46% of women being obese in 2021.

The Future Outlook

The proportion of overweight and obese adults globally is expected to continue rising: from 43.4% in 2021 to 57.4% by 2050 for men, and from 46.7% to 60.3% for women. The most significant growth is expected in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, where population increase also exacerbates the problem.

“Obesity rates are skyrocketing in Africa, where by 2050, 522 million adults and more than 200 million youths will be overweight or obese,” said a clinical associate professor at IHME.

Conclusion

Obesity has become a global problem, and the UAE is no exception. Modern lifestyles, unhealthy eating habits, and lack of physical activity all contribute to exacerbating the issue. However, with appropriate initiatives, such as community wellness programs and accessible health services, there is potential to effectively manage obesity and related diseases. The UAE’s proactive approach and innovative health solutions offer hope for reversing this troubling trend in the future.