Doha, December 29, 2025 – Childhood obesity in Qatar and the broader Gulf region is often oversimplified as a matter of personal willpower or short-term fixes, but it is in fact a multifaceted public health crisis driven by biological, economic, environmental, and societal factors, according to Maha El Akoum, Manager of Content and Policy at the World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH), an initiative of Qatar Foundation.
In a recent episode of the afikra podcast, produced in collaboration with Qatar Foundation, El Akoum emphasized the need for sustained, collective action beyond individual responsibility. “There’s a misconception that obesity is simply about personal choice,” she said. “In reality, it’s far more complex. It’s not just a child choosing unhealthy food or choosing not to exercise, but it’s a societal issue.”
El Akoum described childhood obesity as a global epidemic with particularly alarming trends in the Gulf. In Qatar, approximately 27-28% of children are affected by obesity, significantly higher than global averages. A 2024 WISH report cited a figure of 27.7%, while broader estimates suggest rates approaching 40-50% when including overweight categories among school-aged children. Boys and Qatari nationals have seen sharper increases, a pattern exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic through reduced physical activity and heightened screen time.
“Our biology hasn’t changed in a generation,” El Akoum noted, pointing out that genetics and hormones play a role but cannot account for the rapid surge. Instead, transformative shifts in lifestyle, food environments, and urban planning are the primary culprits.
Economic prosperity and globalization have reshaped eating habits across the region. Traditional diets—rich in vegetables, whole grains, and fiber—have been supplanted by processed, calorie-dense foods high in sugar, salt, and fat. Rising disposable incomes have fueled more frequent dining out, where portions are larger and options less nutritious. “When people eat out more, they consume more calories, often without realising it,” El Akoum explained.
Urban design compounds the issue. Extreme heat in the Gulf limits outdoor play for much of the year, while car-centric cities discourage walking, cycling, or active commuting. These environmental barriers create a sedentary default lifestyle from early childhood.
El Akoum argued that since obesity is largely shaped by societal and policy choices, solutions must target those levels rather than relying solely on education campaigns or personal discipline. “This is a problem created by the choices we make as societies. That means the solutions also sit at the policy level.”
Evidence-based interventions with international success include restrictions on marketing junk food to children, mandatory front-of-package nutritional labeling, and taxes on sugary beverages. However, El Akoum cautioned that “there is no single policy that works everywhere—context matters.” Tailored approaches are essential for the Gulf's unique cultural, climatic, and economic landscape.
Schools offer a prime intervention site. Qatar has implemented measures like healthy school canteen guidelines, limiting high-sugar and high-fat items, alongside nutrition education and physical activity programs. “Removing unhealthy options does work,” El Akoum said, “but it has to be combined with education and opportunities for movement.”
Early-life prevention is equally critical. “The first two years of life are incredibly important,” she stressed, advocating support for maternal health, breastfeeding, and family nutrition during pregnancy and infancy to influence long-term outcomes.
Qatar Foundation's Education City serves as an innovative pilot for integrated strategies. Described by El Akoum as “essentially a city within a city,” it encompasses schools, universities, residential areas, and food outlets in a controlled environment. This setup allows testing of coordinated policies—such as improved walkability, healthy food access, and activity promotion—before national scaling.
A comprehensive 2024 WISH report, developed with Qatar's Ministry of Public Health, proposes a multisectoral framework involving government, education, health, and urban planning sectors. Recommendations include excise taxes on unhealthy products, advocacy for national dietary guidelines, and enhanced affordability of nutritious foods.
Despite progress, El Akoum acknowledged the long horizon for impact. “This isn’t something you fix overnight. You may only see the real impact years from now.”
Her insights underscore a shift in public health discourse: moving from blame to systemic reform. As Gulf nations grapple with non-communicable diseases linked to obesity—such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions—experts like El Akoum call for urgent, collaborative action to safeguard future generations.
