Saudi Arabia to increase efforts in battle against obesity

Weight of patients visiting clinics to be recorded each time to help detect illnesses

Last updated: September 09, 2020 | 11:56

2 MIN READ

The weights of patients may be recorded every time they visit a clinic in a bid to detect obesity-related diseases. Photo for illustrative purposes.

Agency

Also In This Package

Saudi-backed Lucid Air is world's fastest-charging EV!

News in pictures: Pakistan schools to reopen and more..

What's happening in India, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Europe?

In Pictures: Grouping of 200 islands in Saudi Arabia

From the editors: India-China border tensions

In Pictures: Scaled back Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia

Cairo: A member at Saudi Arabia’s advisory Shura Council has proposed weighing patients to detect obesity-related diseases.

“Taking weight of the citizen and the expatriate has many health benefits,” said Shura member Major general Abdullah Al Sadoun.

Also Read

Syrian olive trees put down roots in Kurdish Iraq Dubai Metro turns 11 years old today Fire sweeps through Greece refugee camp on COVID-19 lockdown Cartoons: How political uncertainty grips parts of Middle East

“It sounds an early alarm. Some people do not feel they have become overweight until it is too late and after suffering diseases resulting from obesity,” he told Saudi news port Ajel.

He called for recording weights of people visiting outpatient clinics each time. “This is an important step to fight diseases and save billions in public money,” he added.

Al Sadoun did not say if he would table his proposal to the Shura Council for debate.

The Saudi Health Council, a state agency, has recently cited a link between obesity and the coronavirus infection, with obese people being susceptible to COVID-19 by 47 per cent compared to others.

The obese patients are 74 per cent higher than others to be admitted to the intensive care unit, the council said last month, citing a global study.

Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox