Obesity rates begin to drop, national health survey shows

The National Health Survey, conducted by the Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP), has shown positive statistics in the fields of diabetes, cholesterol levels and obesity.

The number of adults in the Emirates living with diabetes has dropped to 11.8 per cent in 2018 from 18.9 per cent in 2010, while those with high cholesterol levels decreased to 43.7 per cent compared to 57.6 per cent.

Obesity among residents also saw a decline from 37.2 per cent in 2010 to 27.8 in 2018.

Furthermore, the study shows a rise in exclusive breastfeeding with 59.7 per cent of babies from zero to five months of age registered to have been only breastfed.