Heavy talk

Heavy talk

According to a global survey, UAE residents are trying to lose weight. Are you one of them?

June 21, 2009 12:04 by Aarti Nagraj

People in the UAE are on a constant battle with their weight… or so it seems. According to the global ‘Healthy Living’ survey conducted by market research firm Synovate, the UAE tops the list of countries where people are likely to respond to weight gain with physical activity. The country also tops the list for those who are most likely to tackle tubbiness by reducing food intake, with 19 percent of the UAE’s respondents claiming they battle fat with herbs or supplements.

The press release from the company quotes Synovate UAE’s qualitative research director Adelina Mustata as saying that people in Dubai and the surrounding area seem to throw everything at any weight gain. “The UAE is an expat-heavy (pun intended!) population and moving here leads to weight gain for many expats. Here it is famously known as the ‘Dubai stone’.”

“When they realize what has happened, many expatriates take multiple measures to go back to their original weight,” Mustata said.

This information will sound like music to the ears of the UAE health department, which is desperately trying to battle increasing obesity in the region. But do you believe the survey represents the majority in the country? Are you or friends trying to lose weight? Are you actually seeing trimmer and fitter people around you?