Ethicon - A Johnson & Johnson Company - Held an Employee Obesity Awareness Week to Educate Staff on the Health Implications of Obesity
Dubai, United Arab Emirates - The global obesity pandemic is escalating at an alarming rate, with adult obesity predicted to reach 20 percent by 2025,[1] according to a new study led by Imperial College London in partnership with the World Health Organization. The study also states that in the MENA region, 26 million people are classed as severely obese.[2] There is therefore no doubt that obesity is fast becoming a serious public health concern in the region. Indeed, in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) alone, 66 percent of men and 60 percent of women are considered obese or overweight.[3]
"The UAE has some of the highest rates of obesity and associated illnesses globally," commented Ola Fadda, Obesity Manager for Johnson & Johnson in the Middle East. "We are all responsible for acting on obesity and unless the healthcare industry, employers and individuals take steps to prevent and treat this life-threatening disease, we will continue to see obesity rates rising."
For more than 125 years, Johnson & Johnson has been committed to improving the health of individuals, families and communities around the world, with their employees being no exception. Aligned with the UAE Government's focus on preventative healthcare and overall wellness, Johnson & Johnson recognizes the importance of employees' physical and mental health for workplace productivity. In an effort to encourage a work-life balance and healthy lifestyle choices, Ethicon - a Johnson & Johnson company - recently held an Obesity Awareness Week for its employees to highlight the health implications of obesity and promote overall wellness through activities such as yoga classes at the company's offices in Dubai Healthcare City.
Obesity is linked to a number of other diseases including cardiovascular disease and diabetes,[4] both of which have a high prevalence across the MENA region,[5] and numbers are expected to rise unless further action is taken. According to data released by the International Diabetes Federation, in 2015 more than one million cases of diabetes were recorded in the UAE.[6]
"At Johnson & Johnson, we believe that when you feel your best, you do your best, which is why we continue to provide support programs and services to help our employees live healthier and safer lives both at work and at home," noted Said Haddad, Managing Director for Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices in the Middle East. "Our recent Obesity Awareness Week demonstrates Johnson & Johnson's commitment to creating further awareness about lifestyle diseases and helping improve the health of its employees and wider society, as outlined in our company Credo."
Ethicon's Obesity Awareness Week follows the recent launch of ChallengeObesity.com, the region's first online platform fully dedicated to tackling obesity. ChallengeObesity.com is designed to serve as a one-stop resource for healthcare professionals, including surgeons, consultants, nurses and nutritionists, to support the education of patients on obesity, its complications and potential surgical treatment options.
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About Ethicon
From creating the first sutures, to revolutionizing surgery with minimally invasive procedures, Ethicon has made significant contributions to surgery for more than 60 years. Our continuing dedication to Shape the Future of Surgery is built on our commitment to help address the world's most pressing health care issues, and improve and save more lives. Through Ethicon's surgical technologies and solutions including sutures, staplers, energy devices, trocars and hemostats and our commitment to treat serious medical conditions like obesity and cancer worldwide, we deliver innovation to make a life-changing impact. Learn more at www.ethicon.com, and follow us on Twitter @Ethicon.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Salma Chalak
Edelman Middle East
Mobile +971 56 990 2815; Email: salma.chalak@edelman.com
Joanna Collins
Public Affairs & Communications Manager Emerging Markets
+44 (0)7917534175
jcollin9@its.jnj.com
* Ethicon represents the products and services of Johnson & Johnson Medical Limited, Ethicon Endo-Surgery (Europe) GmbH and certain of their affiliates.
[1] Available from: www.bariatricnews.net/?q=news/112323/global-adult-obesity-reach-20-2025
[2] Lancet 2016; 387: 1377-96
[3] Ng M, Fleming T, Robinson M, et al. Global, regional, and national prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adults during 1980-2013: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013
[4] Branca F, Nikogosian H, Lobstein T. The Challenge of Obesity in the WHO European Region and the Strategies for Response: Summary. 2007.
[5] Hypertension prevalence, awareness and control in Arab countries: A systematic review. Nursing and Health Sciences (2014), 16, 126-130
[6] International Diabetes Federation, United Arab Emirates. Available from: http://www.idf.org/membership/mena/united-arab-emirates
© Press Release 2016
