Abstract

This communication has been done on the challenges, gaps and promising opportunities that are faced by intervention policies in providing obesity treatment. Globally, obesity is considered as a growing health concern and its crisis has also attacked the Middle East and surrounding  regions. Trend of obesity is dramatically increasing in the Middle East and many parts of the region are facing alarming and escalating burden of disease. Remarkable transition in the lifestyle and the diet pattern along with the collaboration of genetic factors and unfavorable environmental conditions has created a perfect storm that has made the Gulf Countries and Jordanian population extremely susceptible to obesity. Despite the need of hard-hitting approach for treating and managing obesity, the government policies and interventions across the region are uneven. Gaps in the government policies are needed to be bridged for the smooth and effective functioning of weight loss interventions. Awareness programmes and elementary education about nutritional benefits should be in place, pose ban and taxes on supply of junk and sugar based drinks in school and nearby areas, involvement of core team of nurses, dietitians and physicians for weight loss intervention programmes, physical activity for minimum 30 minutes should be made compulsory in school curriculum. This study provides valuable information about the aspects that should be taken into consideration by the Middle East authorities  for making best use of weight loss interventions.

Keywords: Obesity; Middle east; Policies; Management; Interventions