Kuwait leads Gulf in obesity rates

Arab Times

09-12-2024

KUWAIT CITY, Dec 9: Dr. Mohammed Al-Qasimi, a renowned dermatologist and consultant with advanced qualifications from Harvard University and the Arab Board of Dermatology, recently shared an alarming warning about the high rates of obesity in the Gulf countries, with Kuwait standing out. In an exclusive interview with Al- Seyassah daily, Dr. Al-Qasimi highlighted that Kuwait has the highest obesity rate in both the Gulf region and the Arab world and ranks tenth globally, with 45.3 percent of its population classified as obese. Dr. Al-Qasimi cited the latest annual report by the World Obesity Federation, which predicts that by the year 2035, half of the world's population -- about four billion people -- will suffer from obesity. He attributed the dramatic rise in obesity rates to unhealthy eating habits, the excessive consumption of fast food and the lack of physical activity.
Alarmingly, he also mentioned that school students between the ages of 9 and 13 in Kuwait have shown concerning trends, with obesity rates between 34.4 percent and 40.6 percent among boys and 28.3 percent and 26.6 percent among girls as of 2023. Dr. Al-Qasimi delved into the biological mechanisms behind obesity, focusing on the role of leptin, a hormone produced by fatty tissues. Under normal circumstances, leptin helps regulate hunger by sending signals to the hypothalamus, helping individuals feel full after consuming sufficient food. However, when a person becomes obese, leptin levels in the blood rise, but the brain loses its ability to respond to leptin -- a phenomenon known as leptin resistance. This resistance prevents the brain from recognizing satiety, thereby promoting overeating. Leptin's malfunction not only fuels excessive food consumption but also results in inflammation, which can lead to systemic diseases. These include high blood pressure, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and other chronic conditions. Dr. Al-Qasimi elaborated on the discovery of adiponectin, a hormone that works oppositely to leptin by improving insulin sensitivity and counteracting inflammation.
Understanding these hormonal interactions could lead to better treatments and diagnoses for obesity and its associated conditions. Dr. Al-Qasimi emphasized that obesity is not merely a lifestyle issue but a chronic inflammatory disease linked to disruptions in the hormonal and immune systems. He highlighted that chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension are common in individuals suffering from obesity. Modern scientific discoveries are shedding light on the role of leptin and adiponectin in these chronic diseases. Research is now focused on how these hormones interact, their role in disease progression, and their potential as diagnostic markers or therapeutic targets. Dr. Al-Qasimi pointed out the intricate connection between obesity and skin diseases. Obesity can cause up to 17 skin diseases, and he explained that excess fat cells produce leptin, which, in high amounts, can lead to skin complications. These include delayed wound healing, bacterial infections, and inflammatory skin disorders. Obesity-induced leptin increases can lead to skin conditions such as lymphedema, skin ulcers, and lipoatrophy.
Lymphedema, in particular, occurs because the excess weight puts pressure on the lymphatic vessels under the skin, impairing their ability to drain fluid properly. In addition, mechanical stress and hormonal imbalances caused by excess weight can lead to various skin complications like increased sweating, skin laxity, and a greater risk of infections. Dr. Al-Qasimi explained how hair loss and alopecia are also associated with obesity. Leptin's presence in hair follicles, coupled with chronic inflammation and hormonal imbalances, negatively affects hair growth and maintenance. The interview also brought attention to psoriasis, one of the most common skin conditions linked to obesity, affecting approximately 3 percent of the population both locally and globally. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease influenced by genetic, autoimmune, and metabolic factors, with weight gain exacerbating its effects. Furthermore, Dr. Al-Qasimi discussed scleroderma, a chronic skin disease tied to hormonal imbalances linked with obesity.