One of the biggest challenges faced globally is obesity and being overweight, which is largely the contribution of overeating and a sedentary life, leading to various metabolic diseases including Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Coronary Artery Disease, several forms of Cancer, & various Lifestyle Diseases.

As regards the UAE, in 2022, the obesity index (BMI above 30) of the local Emarati population was 39.6%, & the overall UAE overweight status (BMI above 25) was 39.8%. Compare this to 2017-18 where the obesity prevalence in the UAE amounted to 27.8 percent, with a 40.1 percent overweight adult population. (Source: The Global Obesity Observatory).

The position is even more critical when it comes to our children, where the UAE United Arab Emirates is ranked fifth in the global obesity index, with 40 per cent of 11 to 16 year olds and 20 per cent of children under the age of 11 classified as obese. (Source: Trade Arabia)

Our Objectives in conducting this Annual Weight Loss Challenge are:

• To improve the quality of life of an individual/community/society by promoting the national agenda of quality health & quality healthcare.
• Joining hands with Health authorities (MOH-Preventive Medicine) in implementing comprehensive lifestyle medicine & chronic disease management programs.
• For RAK hospital to provide its comprehensive one-stop health solution, from Illness to Wellness to Corporates.
• To support the community with necessary information and education for the better management of weight & better health.

In RBWLC22, we had over 10,000 participants. The prize money shared between the winners was over AED 40,000/-, The maximum weight loss by the winner was in excess of 30 Kgs & the average weight lost of those who completed the 12 week challenge was about 10kgs average.