MUSCAT : The workshop, titled ‘The Plan to Accelerate Obesity Prevention in the Sultanate of Oman,’ revealed alarming statistics, indicating that close to 66 percent of adults in Oman are overweight or obese.

Held under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, Undersecretary for Health Planning and Organization at the Ministry, and in the presence of Dr. Jean Jabbour , Representative of the World Health Organization in the Sultanate of Oman, the workshop aimed to come up with a national action plan. One of the objectives of which is to take an in-depth look at current obesity rates and its effects on health.
The push is to enhance national awareness, as the global burden of obesity and its associated risks pose a major public health challenge.

Salima Ali al Maamari, Director of Nutrition Department at the Ministry, emphasized the gravity of the situation, citing a global trend that has led to over 1 billion people, including children and teenagers, struggling with obesity. She warned that obesity is a precursor to over 220 diseases and stressed the urgent need for a national strategy to address this health crisis.

Key topics discussed included the global obesity epidemic, international recommendations for reducing obesity, and specific efforts in Oman, such as the establishment of comprehensive nutrition clinics, the formulation of the National Nutrition Strategy 2020-2030, the implementation of the 2021 National Campaign, revisions to the Omani Food Guide, and the ban on products containing trans fats.

The workshop underscored the importance of collective action and aimed to enhance national awareness, assess current programs, identify best practices, and develop a robust, actionable plan to reduce obesity rates in Oman.

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