Prevalence and Etiology: Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Countries

Socio‐cultural differences in Australian primary school children's weight and weight‐related behaviours

“…Studies suggest that the period of residency influences immigrant populations' obesity, with subsequent generations being at greater risk than the first generation, and that the acculturation effects tend to be stronger among Asian populations . The prevalence of overweight/obesity in our Middle‐Eastern children was comparable with findings from Middle‐Eastern countries; however, in Middle‐Eastern countries, the prevalence rates tend to be higher among high SES children …”

“…27,28 The prevalence of overweight/obesity in our Middle-Eastern children was comparable with findings from Middle-Eastern countries; however, in Middle-Eastern countries, the prevalence rates tend to be higher among high SES children. 29,30 Within ethnic groups, gender also appears to have an influence on weight and weight-related behaviours. The pattern of the association between SES and obesity (in particular) in Middle-Eastern children differed for boys and girls.…”

Functional and Structural Impact of ATP-Binding Cassette Transporter A1 R219K and I883M Gene Polymorphisms in Obese Children and Adolescents

“…The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents living in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region appears to be increasing in parallel with a changing sociodemographic landscape and the adoption of Western-style environmental influences (dietary, lifestyle and economic) [42]. ABCA1 protein plays a key role in the cellular lipid removal pathway.…”