Obesity in Pakistan

Obesity in Pakistan is a health issue that has attracted concern only in the past few years. Urbanisation and an unhealthy, energy-dense diet (the high presence of oil and fats in Pakistani cooking), as well as changing lifestyles, are among the root causes contributing to obesity in the country. According to a list of the world's "fattest countries" published on Forbes, Pakistan is ranked 165 (out of 194 countries) in terms of its overweight population, with 22.2% of individuals over the age of 15 crossing the threshold of obesity.^[1] This ratio roughly corresponds with other studies, which state one-in-four Pakistani adults as being overweight.^[2][3]

Research indicates that people living in large cities in Pakistan are more exposed to the risks of obesity as compared to those in the rural countryside. Women also naturally have higher rates of obesity as compared to men. Pakistan also has the highest percentage of people with diabetes in South Asia.^[4]

According to one study, "fat" is more dangerous for South Asians than for Caucasians because the fat tends to cling to organs like the liver instead of the skin.^[5]

References

1. ^ Streib, Lauren (2 August 2007). "World's Fattest Countries". Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/2007/02/07/worlds-fattest-countries-forbeslife-cx_ls_0208worldfat_2.html. 
2. ^ "One in four adults is overweight or clinically obese". Gulf News. December 17 2006. http://gulfnews.com/news/world/pakistan/one-in-four-adults-is-overweight-or-clinically-obese-1.271000. 
3. ^ Epidemic of obesity in Pakistan - one in four Pakistanis may be overweight or obese
4. ^ Nanan, D.J.. "The Obesity Pandemic - Implications for Pakistan". Journal of Pakistan Medical Association. http://www.jpma.org.pk/full_article_text.php?article_id=2356. 
5. ^ Fat is more dangerous for South Asians: Study