KUWAIT CITY, March 4: The Consultant Endocrinologist at Al-Amiri Hospital, Vice-President of the Kuwaiti Obesity Association, Dr. Asrar Al-Sayed Hashem, warned of the high rates of obesity in the country, pointing out that Kuwait is the first in the Arab world and the 14th in the world in terms of obesity, with the percentage among adults reaching 37.9% in addition to 50% of the children and adolescents who are termed ‘overweight’ and ‘obese’.

Dr. Asrar said in a statement to Al- Seyassah daily that Obesity causes more than 500 diseases and health problems, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, fat accumulation on the liver, respiratory problems, joint roughness and difficulty in movement, as well as various psychological and social problems.

Dr Asrar revealed a recent study indicated that the formation of antibodies after the (Covid-19) vaccine in obese patients is less than in normal people, as an obese patient suffers from factors that may reduce the formation of his antibodies. Usually obese patients suffer from more severe symptoms when infected with the Covid-19 virus. She was speaking on the occasion of the celebration of the World Obesity Day, which falls on March 4 of each year.

Dr Asrar said a virtual lecture on Wednesday, March 10 will be organized by the Kuwaiti Obesity Association, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Novo Nordisk, with the participation of a group of doctors and specialists in endocrinology, surgery, therapeutic nutrition and psychiatry, to raise the level of awareness of the dangers of obesity and the available treatment methods. She pointed out that the lecture will be held in Arabic and broadcast on ‘YouTube’ with an English translation in order to reach the largest segment of followers in society.

Meanwhile, the Al-Seyassah daily has learned from well-informed health sources that the Minister of Health Sheikh Dr. Basil Al-Sabah has issued a decision to appoint the Director of Makki Jumah Hospital, Dr. Ali Al- Mousawi, as a health attaché in Paris, as of this March, to succeed the former health attaché, Dr. Bashar Al-Hashash. The sources added Dr Al-Sabah is about to issue shortly a number of subsequent decisions to arrange the health abroad.

By Marwa Al-Bahrawi Al-Seyassah Staff