Filling An Arab

The Middle East is getting fat:

While countries such as Yemen have been on the brink of famine for the better part of a decade, the wealthier populations in oil-rich Gulf states have seen a dramatic increase in disposable income and the availability of unhealthy food, particularly imported fast foods in luxury destinations such as Dubai and Kuwait. Countries that a generation ago struggled with high rates of poverty have not yet adapted their government and education policies to address the prevalence of unhealthy food or the lack of an exercise culture, the study indicated. The study focused on overweight and obese people around the world, finding that the developing world – not just the Middle East, but locations such as Latin America – is facing rising obesity rates as it generates more wealth. The National, based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), reported that the study found that “scientists expect the Middle East will overtake North America as the world’s most out-of-shape region if ‘startling’ trends in weight gain over the last 30 years continue.”

No more camels for them...