DUBAI : Conducted in collaboration with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, federal and local partners and covering 20,000 households across the UAE, the survey provides detailed insights into health behaviours, nutrition, maternal and child health, and risk factors for non‑communicable diseases.
Among adults aged 18 and over, 59.1 % were found not to engage in sufficient physical activity, while 8.7 % reported smoking, figures that highlight ongoing lifestyle challenges. Obesity remains prevalent, with 22.4 % of adults living with the condition, and 16.1 % of children aged 6 to 17 also classified as obese. In contrast, only 2.2 % of children under five were found to be obese.
Clinical measurements revealed that 25.9 % of adults have high blood pressure, 12.5 % have elevated blood glucose, and more than half, 54.2 %, have high cholesterol, underscoring the need for ongoing public health efforts targeting chronic disease prevention.
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Nutritional assessments showed widespread dietary imbalances. 96.2 % of adults exceeded recommended sodium intake, and 27.3 % consumed more sugar than advised, with 27.4 % reporting daily intake of sugar‑sweetened beverages. Additionally, 56.1 % exceeded recommended fat intake, while average daily energy intake reached 2,852.3 kilocalories.
Vitamin D deficiency emerged as a serious concern, affecting 49.3 % of adults and 69.1 % of children aged 6 to 17. However, some positive trends were noted: 85.1 % of women aged 15 to 49 and 77.9 % of young children (6 months to 5 years) met the minimum dietary diversity threshold, which is linked to healthier eating patterns.
Maternal health indicators were also encouraging, with 99.6 % of pregnant women reporting at least one physician visit and 94.8 % attending four or more antenatal care visits, reflecting strong utilisation of maternal health services.
MoHAP officials highlighted that the survey’s evidence base will guide future health policies, preventive strategies and targeted programmes, contributing to enhanced quality of life and the UAE’s long‑term health development goals.
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