The UAE has launched one in every of its most complete snapshots of nationwide well being to this point, with new information highlighting persistent challenges round weight problems, bodily inactivity, vitamin and vitamin D deficiency.
Printed by the Ministry of Well being and Prevention, the Nationwide Well being and Diet Survey 2024–2025 supplies an evidence-based basis to strengthen preventive care and long-term well being planning throughout the nation.
Endorsed by the World Well being Organisation, the survey was applied in collaboration with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, federal and native authorities, and nationwide companions.
UAE well being indicators
Statistical evaluation of adults aged 18 and above reveals that 8.7 per cent of individuals smoke, whereas 59.1 per cent don’t have interaction in adequate bodily exercise.
The findings additionally reveal that:
- 22.4 per cent of adults live with weight problems
- 25.9 per cent have hypertension
- 12.5 per cent have elevated blood glucose ranges
- 54.2 per cent have excessive levels of cholesterol
Vitamin D deficiency stays a major concern, affecting 49.3 per cent of adults aged 18 and above and 69.1 per cent of kids aged 6 to 17.
Amongst youngsters, 16.1 per cent of these aged 6 to 17 had been dwelling with weight problems, in comparison with 2.2 per cent amongst youngsters aged 0 to five.
Measurements had been analysed utilizing World Well being Organisation progress requirements and superior statistical instruments primarily based on the Z-score progress index.
Sugar, salt and power in highlight
The Nationwide Diet Survey examined dietary patterns amongst people aged 18 to 69 and located that 27.3 per cent exceeded really useful sugar consumption, whereas 96.2 per cent exceeded really useful sodium consumption.
As well as, 27.4 per cent reported consuming sugar-sweetened drinks day by day.
Common day by day fibre consumption reached 23.1 grams, whereas 56.1 per cent exceeded really useful fats consumption. Common day by day power consumption was recorded at 2,852.3 kilocalories per individual.
Encouraging outcomes had been noticed in dietary variety, with 85.1 per cent of ladies aged 15 to 49 and 77.9 per cent of kids aged 6 months to five years assembly the minimal dietary variety threshold.
In maternal well being, the findings confirmed continued enchancment in entry to care, with 99.6 per cent of ladies visiting a doctor not less than as soon as throughout being pregnant and 94.8 per cent attending not less than 4 antenatal care visits.
Because the 12 months of the Household begins throughout the UAE, the findings present a powerful data base to help built-in planning for household well being throughout all life phases, with explicit give attention to maternal well being, little one wellbeing and wholesome ageing.
Coverage influence and nationwide planning
Ahmed Ali Al-Sayegh, Minister of Health and Prevention, stated: “These findings present a transparent, evidence-based image of inhabitants well being traits and reinforce the significance of prevention, early intervention, and long-term planning.
“They help the UAE’s improvement journey in step with the management’s directives and authorities priorities, making certain that well being coverage continues to put individuals’s wellbeing on the centre of nationwide progress”.
Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, stated the survey represents “a complicated mannequin of institutional integration and joint statistical work on the federal and native ranges” and a nationally owned data asset supporting data-driven well being coverage.
Dr. Alawi Al Sheikh Ali, Director-Basic of the Dubai Well being Authority, described the survey as a foundational pillar for growing efficient well being insurance policies and strengthening efforts to cut back and forestall power illnesses.
Dr. Abdelaziz Saeed Al Mheiri, Chairman of the Sharjah Well being Authority, emphasised the significance of standard nationwide surveys to help steady monitoring of well being indicators and knowledgeable decision-making.
Future readiness
Superior digital instruments and analytical applied sciences had been used to course of survey information, generate indicators with sturdy predictive worth, and help evidence-based planning. Information had been collected by way of face-to-face interviews utilizing WHO-approved digital questionnaires in Arabic, English, Hindi and Urdu, alongside laboratory testing.
The survey reached 20,000 households throughout the UAE, together with 40 per cent residents and 60 per cent residents, in addition to 2,000 people dwelling in staff’ lodging, making certain broad illustration and a dependable basis for future well being planning.
Dr. Hussain Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for the Public Well being Sector, stated the findings will information progressive well being programmes, expanded preventive screening and clearer well being messaging to empower people to make more healthy day by day selections.
