MUSCAT: The Sultanate of Oman, represented by the Ministry of Health, participated in the World Obesity Day video conference organised by the International Obesity Federation with the aim of discussing appropriate opportunities for a more integrated approach to address this phenomenon.
His Excellency Dr. Ahmed bin Muhammad Al-Saidi, Minister of Health, confirmed in his speech that the rates of increase in obesity cases in the Sultanate of Oman are currently the same in various countries of the world, noting that it is considered one of the biggest challenges faced by members of the Omani society, and that more than half suffer from overweight. or high obesity according to the last survey carried out in 2008, especially among women and children.
His Excellency said, “This dilemma, which has a personal and economic impact, increases the cost of treatment and at the same time reduces the productivity rates of individuals, as obesity has side effects such as heart disease, cardiac arrest, and diabetes, and that it may be a cause of severe cases and deaths for people infected with coronavirus.”
Read More
- Foreign Ministers discuss expanding Oman-Niger cooperation
- His Majesty Sultan Haitham to pay official visit to France on Sunday
- India’s new Ambassador to Oman presents credentials copy to Foreign Minister
- CPA raids illegal site run by expats, seizes over 3,000 prohibited goods in Oman’s North Batinah
- Oman’s OPAZ board reviews governance reforms, Madayn Vision 2040 updates at third meeting of 2026
His Excellency added, “It is noticeable that taking preventive precautionary measures against the outbreak of the Covid-19 virus in the past period caused a lack of movement and activity of individuals, and this also caused an increase in the emergence of cases of obesity and overweight.”
His Excellency indicated that the Sultanate of Oman has made great achievements in this aspect to improve the dietary habits of individuals, including imposing taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages, soft drinks and energy drinks, reducing the sodium content in bread by 20 percent, and conducting nutritional campaigns to reduce consumption of sugar, fats and salt, and raising awareness for change towards Healthy eating habits.
At the conclusion of his speech, His Excellency Dr. Ahmed bin Muhammad Al-Saidi, Minister of Health, praised the efforts of those in the Sultanate of Oman regarding the speed of the global response to the obesity crisis, welcoming any new proposals to develop the global action plan to combat obesity in the future.
World Obesity Day is a unified day of action that calls for a coherent, cross-sectoral response to the obesity crisis, involving individuals, organizations and coalitions from around the world.
