scholarly journals Implementation of WHO Recommended Policies and Interventions on Healthy Diet in the Countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region: From Policy to Action

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3700
Author(s):  
Ayoub Al-Jawaldeh ◽  
Asmus Hammerich ◽  
Radhouene Doggui ◽  
Kaia Engesveen ◽  
Krista Lang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Absolute Number ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Healthy Diet ◽  
Salt Reduction ◽  
Nutrition And Diet ◽  
Concrete Action

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for almost two-thirds of the deaths in the 22 countries and territories of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region and unhealthy diets are a major contributor. Prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased among adults, adolescents and older children in recent decades. Among countries with the highest prevalence there are signs that the increase is slowing down or even that prevalence is declining. There has been no increase in the prevalence rate in younger children, although the absolute number of children under five years affected by overweight has increased. This review summarizes prevalence data and examines current implementation of regulatory, fiscal and voluntary measures to promote healthy diet across the Region. The last decade has seen a step up in such action. Ten of the Region’s countries have policies relating to trans-fatty acids and they are increasingly implementing specific regulatory measures. Thirteen countries had fully or partially implemented national salt reduction policies by 2019. Only four countries had adopted policies relating to aspects of marketing food to children by 2019, and concrete action in this area is still lacking. Eight countries have introduced taxes—sometimes at a rate of 50%—on carbonated or sugar-sweetened beverages. In order to meet the agreed global and regional goals relating to nutrition and diet-related NCDs, countries will need to build on this progress and scale up action across the Region while intensifying efforts in areas where concrete action is lacking.

scholarly journals Overweight and obesity in the Eastern Mediterranean Region: can we control it?

2004 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 789-793 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. O. Musaiger
Keyword(s):  
Socioeconomic Factors ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Dietary Habits ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
National Programmes ◽  
The Status ◽  
Prevalence Of Obesity ◽  
And Control

Obesity has become an epidemic problem worldwide, and in the Eastern Mediterranean Region the status of overweight has reached an alarming level. A prevalence of 3%-9% overweight and obesity has been recorded among preschool children, while that among schoolchildren was 12%-25%. A marked increase in obesity generally has been noted among adolescents, ranging from 15% to 45%. In adulthood, women showed a higher prevalence of obesity [35%-75%] than men [30%-60%]. Several factors, such as change in dietary habits, socioeconomic factors, inactivity and multiparity [among women] determine obesity in this Region. There is an urgent need for national programmes to prevent and control obesity in the countries of the Region

scholarly journals Salt Reduction Initiatives in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and Evaluation of Progress towards the 2025 Global Target: A Systematic Review

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 2676
Author(s):  
Ayoub Al-Jawaldeh ◽  
Mandy Taktouk ◽  
Aya Chatila ◽  
Sally Naalbandian ◽  
Al-Anoud Mohammed Al-Thani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Salt Intake ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Grey Literature ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Salt Reduction ◽  
Strategic Approach

This study aims at identifying national salt reduction initiatives in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region and describing their progress towards the global salt reduction target. A systematic review of published and grey literature was conducted. Key characteristics of strategies were extracted and classified according to a pre-defined framework: salt intake assessments; leadership and strategic approach; implementation strategies; monitoring and evaluation of program impact. Salt intake levels were estimated in 15 out of the 22 countries (68%), while national salt reduction initiatives were identified in 13 (59%). The majority of countries were found to implement multifaceted reduction interventions, characterized by a combination of two or more implementation strategies. The least common implementation strategy was taxation, while the most common was reformulation (100%), followed by consumer education (77%), initiatives in specific settings (54%), and front of pack labelling (46%). Monitoring activities were conducted by few countries (27%), while impact evaluations were lacking. Despite the ongoing salt reduction efforts in several countries of the region, more action is needed to initiate reduction programs in countries that are lagging behind, and to ensure rigorous implementation and evaluations of ongoing programs. Such efforts are vital for the achievement of the targeted 30% reduction in salt intake.

scholarly journals Overweight and Obesity in Eastern Mediterranean Region: Prevalence and Possible Causes

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulrahman O. Musaiger
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Nutrition Transition ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Cultural Elements ◽  
Sugary Beverages ◽  
Duration Of Breastfeeding ◽  
Skipping Breakfast

The objective of this paper was to explore the prevalence of overweight and obesity among various age groups as well as discuss the possible factors that associated with obesity in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). A systematic review of published papers between 1990 and 2011 was carried out. Obesity reached an alarming level in all age groups of the EMR countries. The prevalence of overweight among preschool children(<5 years) ranged from 1.9% to 21.9%, while the prevalence of overweight and obesity among school children ranged from 7% to 45%. Among adults the prevalence of overweight and obesity ranged from 25% to 81.9%. Possible factors determining obesity in this region include: nutrition transition, inactivity, urbanization, marital status, a shorter duration of breastfeeding, frequent snacking, skipping breakfast, a high intake of sugary beverages, an increase in the incidence of eating outside the home, long periods of time spent viewing television, massive marketing promotion of high fat foods, stunting, perceived body image, cultural elements and food subsidize policy. A national plan of action to overcome obesity is urgently needed to reduce the economic and health burden of obesity in this region.

scholarly journals Global Fund Financing and Human Resources for Health Investments in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adeyemi Okunogbe ◽  
Diana Bowser ◽  
Gulin Gedik ◽  
Saha Naseri ◽  
Ayat Abu-Agla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Global Fund ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
Human Resources For Health ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Training Costs ◽  
Mediterranean Countries

Abstract Background: Despite the large investments in donor-related health activities in areas of the globe prone to tension and conflict, few studies have examined in detail the role of these donor investments in human resources for health (HRH). Methods: We used a mixed-methods research methodology comprising both quantitative and qualitative analysis to analyze the Enhanced Financial Reporting System of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria budget and expenditure data from 2003-2017 for 13 countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). We analysed additional detailed budgetary data over the period 2013-2017 for a sub-set of these countries. Two country-case studies were conducted in Afghanistan and Sudan for a more in-depth understanding of the HRH-related activities that occurred as a result of Global Fund grants. Results: The results show that US$2.2 billion Global Fund dollars had been budgeted and US$1.6 billion were expended over the period 2003-2017 in 13 Eastern Mediterranean countries. The average expenditures for human resources for health (training and human resources) as a percentage of total expenditure is 28%. Additional detailed budgetary data analysis shows a more conservative investment in HRH with 13% of total budgets allocated to “direct” HRH activities such as salaries, training costs, and technical assistance. HRH-related activities supported by the Global Fund in Afghanistan and Sudan were similar, including pre-service and in-services training, hiring of program coordinators and staff, and top-ups for clinical staff. Conclusions: HRH remains a key issue in strengthening the health systems of low- and middle-income countries. While this study suggests that Global Fund’s HRH investments in the EMR are not lagging behind the global average, there appears to be a need to further scale up these investments considering this region’s unique HRH challenges.

National cancer control plans across the Eastern Mediterranean region: challenges and opportunities to scale-up

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. e517-e529
Author(s):  
Ibtihal Fadhil ◽  
Eman Alkhalawi ◽  
Rihab Nasr ◽  
Heba Fouad ◽  
Partha Basu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Cancer Control ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities

Abstract P384: Overweight, Obesity and its Correlates among Adolescents: a Comparison of Eleven Countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Circulation ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 125 (suppl_10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine S Autenrieth ◽  
Regina Guthold ◽  
Melanie J Cowan ◽  
Laura Kann ◽  
Faten Ben Abdelaziz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Sedentary Behavior ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

Background: Overweight and obesity, physical inactivity, and sedentary behavior are important risk factors for chronic diseases; however, for the youth in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), comparable prevalence data are lacking. Methods: We used data from nationally representative samples of 34,410 13-15 year old schoolchildren who participated in the Global School-based Student Health Survey (Djibouti, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Morocco, Oman, Pakistan, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen). Data on height, weight, physical activity levels, and sedentary behavior were collected from 2005-2009 in these eleven EMR countries and sex- and country-specific prevalence rates were calculated. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obese youth ranged from 6.5% in Pakistan (boys: 5.1%, girls: 8.7%) to 37.6% in the United Arab Emirates (boys: 39.2%, girls: 36.1%), whereas underweight was highest in Yemen (20.8%; boys: 25.4%, girls: 13.0%) and lowest in Egypt (4.0%; boys: 4.7%, girls: 3.2%). Six of the eleven countries had an overweight and obese rate higher than 20%. The combined risk factors of overweight, insufficient amount of physical activity (< 5 days of at least 60 minutes per week), and sedentary behavior (≥ 3 hours of sitting activities per day) ranged from 0.5% in Pakistan to 12.3% in the United Arab Emirates. Conclusion: These data suggest that prevalence of overweight schoolchildren is high in EMR countries. In addition, physical activity levels were below recommendation guidelines in most of the surveyed countries. Efforts to prevent these unfortunate trends should be taken on regional and national levels.

scholarly journals Global Fund Financing and Human Resources for Health Investments in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adeyemi Okunogbe ◽  
Diana Bowser ◽  
Gulin Gedik ◽  
Saha Naseri ◽  
Ayat Abu-Agla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Global Fund ◽  
Technical Assistance ◽  
Human Resources For Health ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Training Costs ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background: Despite the large investments in donor-related health activities in areas of the globe prone to tension and conflict, few studies have examined in detail the impact of these donor investments on human resources for health (HRH). Methods: We used a mixed-methods research methodology comprising both quantitative and qualitative analysis to analyze the Enhanced Financial Reporting System of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria budget and expenditure data from 2003-2017 for 13 countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). We analysed additional detailed budgetary data over the period 2013-2017 for a sub-set of these countries. Two country-case studies were conducted in Afghanistan and Sudan for a more in-depth understanding of the HRH-related activities that occurred as a result of Global Fund grants. Results: The results show that US$2.2 billion Global Fund dollars had been budgeted and US$1.6 billion were expended over the period 2003-2017 in the 13 Eastern Mediterranean countries. The average expenditures for human resources for health (training and human resources) as a percentage of total expenditure is 28%. Additional detailed budgetary data analysis shows a more conservative investment in HRH with 13% of total budgets allocated to “direct” HRH activities such as salaries, training costs, and technical assistance. HRH-related activities supported by the Global Fund in Afghanistan and Sudan are similar, including pre-service and in-services training, hiring of program coordinators and staff, and top-ups for clinical staff. Conclusions: HRH remains a key issue in strengthening the health systems of low- and middle-income countries. While this study suggests that Global Fund’s HRH investments in the EMR are not lagging behind the global average, there appears to be a need to further scale up these investments considering this region’s unique HRH challenges.

scholarly journals Impact evaluation of soft drink taxes as part of nutrition policies in Gulf Cooperation Council countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates

F1000Research ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 1287
Author(s):  
Ayoub Al-Jawaldeh ◽  
Rania Megally
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
United Arab Emirates ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Soft Drink ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean Region ◽  
Gulf Cooperation Council ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Gcc Countries ◽  
The Impact

Background: Prevalence of overweight and obesity is high in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, and there are higher rates in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. This had led GCC countries to impose policies that aim to decrease obesity, overweight, and diabetes rates. The objective of this research is to measure the impact of such implemented policy to reduce obesity, namely taxes applied to sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) in GCC. Methods: The impact of SSB taxes has been measured using a panel data set that covers sales volumes of soft drinks in GCC countries from 2010 to 2020. Results: annual growth in soft drink sales volumes decreased; from 5.44% to 1.33% in Saudi Arabia, 7.37% to 5.93% in United Arab Emirates, and 5.25% to 5.09% in Bahrain from 2016 to 2017. In Qatar, a tax was implemented in 2019, and a reduction in sales volume growth was observed between 2019 and 2020 (3.78% to 2.45%), and in Oman a reduction was observed between 2018 and 2019 (3.60% to 2.99%). Kuwait was the last GCC country to implement taxes in 2020, and the growth in sales volumes decreased from 6.31% to 5.47% from 2019 to 2020. Conclusions: The introduction of health-related taxes on soft drinks has been followed by a drop in the growth rates of sales in GCC countries. This, in turn, can be expected to contribute to a reduction in the prevalence of overweight and obesity, especially when combined with complementary public health policies and interventions. Hence, awareness campaigns should promote the reduction of the consumption sales of SSB and substitute with more consumption of fresh juices. These recommendations align with the recommended priority actions by the World Health Organization Strategy on nutrition for the Eastern Mediterranean Region 2020-2030 adopted by the countries of the Region in October 2019.

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