Business & Money | Friday 8 May, 2015 3:02 am |

Princess Hussa bint Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud highlighted the dangers of obesity at a charity event here recently.
The event was organized by the Kayl Charitable Society for Combating Obesity at Nayara Hall in Riyadh. The charity was established by Princess Ayah bint Faisal bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al-Saud.
The gathering took off with a national song, followed by the keynote speech by Princess Hussa who commended the charity’s role in fighting obesity. This was an affliction that was increasingly affecting the country, across all incomes and ages, she said.
“The very name of this charity, which was established by the young Princess Ayah bint Faisal bin Abdullah, Kayl, reveals the awareness of the importance of this seed and the nutritional value of this green food, the health benefits of which have recently been recognized by the whole world.”

She said this proves that the honorary chief executive officer and members of the organization “are up to date with the latest findings in nutritional sciences which have changed many of the old traditions based on diets and giving up certain foods. Nowadays the new trends are for more beneficial nutrition that strengthens immunity and increases the body’s metabolism so that it can burn excess calories.”
“A basic goal of this charity is to spread awareness in our country, that there is a need to start with our children, the new generation, to protect them from the impact of diets on their psychological make-up in the medium and long term,” she said.
“Many people suffer from various health conditions, such as glandular dysfunction for instance, which also cause obesity; thus resorting to diets cannot produce the desired results since they do not take the specifics of their health into consideration.”
“But today, thanks to modern awareness, the emphasis is on the kind not the quantity of food consumed and on health not fat. This charity has a very important role to play in devising awareness programs that will benefit all persons for whom obesity is a physical disability. This is clear in a program, which is the first of its kind to be offered by this promising charity, for individuals who suffer from obesity together with other disabilities, for example sight impairment.

“This new charity appreciates the significance of seeking a helping hand from psychiatrists and psychotherapists especially those who emphasize positive thinking and mental training in effecting changes to bad eating habits. These are often caused by psychological stress, which might be the result of grief, pressure from studies or work, or any other distressing situation from which a person finds escape in food.”
She said that Saudi society has the capacity and duty to support and provide care for people with this affliction. This was important so that they do not feel they are alone in their battle. Modern studies have shown that about 40 percent of children in the world suffer from a form of disability, she said.
Princess Hussa said the Kingdom has one of the worst obesity problems in the world. “There are 20,000 deaths due to obesity-related diseases every year. There are 7,000 obese children in the Eastern Region alone, according to a study conducted by the Executive Office of the Gulf Ministry of Health.”

“Studies have proved the close relationship between obesity and numerous chronic diseases which impact upon an individual’s life and productivity besides the great financial cost of treating such diseases. This is why civil society establishments have a duty to support the government’s efforts ...”
Dr. Amal, in charge of the media committee at Kayl, spoke on behalf of Princess Ayah. She welcomed Princess Hussa and said the charity began its activities in 1431H. “It works to educate the public on the harmful effect of obesity and Saudi Arabia has one of the highest rates of obesity. Unfortunately, most cases are due to bad eating habits and it leads to physical and mental diseases,” she said.

The charity was established five years ago and has conducted campaigns at King Khaled Eye Hospital, a university and 76 schools. A number of other charities including Itaam and Naqa, an anti-smoking organization, took part in the event.