40% of Pakistani Children Struggle with Obesity Crisis: Experts

News Desk

Peshawar: The health experts at a seminar in Peshawar on Monday revealed that 40 per cent of children in Pakistan are either overweight or obese. This alarming trend is primarily attributed to a sedentary lifestyle, excessive screen time, and an unhealthy diet.

The experts proposed a set of recommendations for multi-sectoral collaboration to strengthen capacity, leadership, governance, and partnerships to accelerate provincial responses for the prevention and control of diabetes and obesity.

The dialogue was organised in connection with “World Diabetes Day 2023”. Policymakers, government departments, the UN, NGOs, academia, the media, medical associations, and corporations developed a joint call to action on diabetes and obesity prevention and promotion of a healthy lifestyle.

D-TALK and Insulin for Life Programme Project Director Dr AH Aamir briefed the audience about the growing challenge of diabetes and obesity in Pakistan and efforts to tackle it.

Dr Amir highlighted that the government is committed to tackling the increasing burden through concerted efforts to improve the health status of the people of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

The Danish Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Jakob Linulf appreciated the efforts made by the government of KP and their approach to dealing with the diabetes and obesity burden.

Novo Nordisk Pakistan Vice President and General Manager Rashed Rafique Butt further highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships to counter chronic diseases like diabetes.

It is to mention that a colossal 40 per cent of children in Pakistan are either overweight or obese, mainly due to a sedentary lifestyle, excessive screen time, and an unhealthy diet, the latest studies and health experts say.

According to the most recent study by the state-run Pakistan Health Commission (PHC) in 2018, over 11 per cent of children in the country were overweight, and more than 5 per cent were obese.

Novo Nordisk Pakistan, in collaboration with the Embassy of Denmark in Pakistan and Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar, organised the event on Monday. APP/Agencies