Greater and More Focused Measures Are Needed to Tackle Diabetes and Obesity Epidemics in the Nations of the Gulf Cooperation Council

Abstract

Beyond the suffering of the affected subjects, type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity epidemics gripping the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states are expected to seriously jeopardize these nations’ economies and development due to productivity losses. Available data show that healthcare budgets in GCC nations are under tremendous pressure because of diabetes- and obesity-linked comorbidities. Furthermore, T2D, once an over-forties disease, risks becoming a whole-adult-life condition because of obesity-associated early-onset T2D and prediabetes. The incidence of T2D is set to worsen unless efficient actions are taken to fight obesity and prevent the conversion of prediabetes to T2D. There is a consensus that the concomitant increase in obesity rates drives T2D rates upward. Fighting obesity at all levels should, therefore, take center stage for the GCC nations. The battle against obesity and T2D is a long-term and complex one. Therefore, only through concerted efforts between several public and private actors, including health, economic, and urbanization agencies, food producers and retailers, schools, families, youth organizations, sports clubs, and voluntary organizations, can this battle be won. The present review tries to assess the current status of diabetes and obesity epidemics in the GCC context and take stock of some of the policies and initiatives that have been, or need to be, implemented to address their growing burden.

Current gaps in management and timely referral of cardiorenal complications among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the Middle East and African countries: Expert recommendations

“…[20][21][22][23] The DISCOVER program illustrated a substantial burden of microvascular complications (including CKD and albuminuria) and macrovascular complications (primarily coronary artery disease, HF, and stroke). 24 Another multinational study (CAPTURE) showed that people with T2DM and established CVD (33%) have a higher burden of renal dysfunction (microalbuminuria [31.8% vs 20.6%], macroalbuminuria [10 prevalent comorbidities in T2DM. 26 People with T2DM have almost quadruple the risk (hazard ratio [HR] 3.77, P = .001), while those with coronary heart disease are 2.47 (P = .004) times more likely to develop CKD stages 3-5.…”

“…Screening programs for early detection of T2DM, compounded by timely utilization of safe and effective therapies, may help prevent complications, thus reducing morbidity and mortality. 6,10 The prevalence of cardiorenal complications in patients with T2DM is rising in the MENA and AFR regions. The cross-sectional Turkish Diabetes Epidemiology (TURDEP)-II survey involving 26 499 adults (≥20 years) showed an alarming rise in the prevalence of T2DM and associated cardiometabolic risk factors, highlighting an urgent need to address this major public health burden.…”

“…To prevent CV‐related mortality in patients with T2DM, optimum management of cardiorenal risk factors and complications is crucial, along with glycemic control. Screening programs for early detection of T2DM, compounded by timely utilization of safe and effective therapies, may help prevent complications, thus reducing morbidity and mortality 6,10 …”

“…Screening programs for early detection of T2DM, compounded by timely utilization of safe and effective therapies, may help prevent complications, thus reducing morbidity and mortality. 6 , 10 …”