Research
Energy balance
High intake of fat-rich foods and sedentary lifestyle are primary drivers of obesity in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, driven by a nutrition transition toward Westernized diets.
To manage weight in this region, prioritize reducing total fat and calorie intake and increasing physical activity. Do not assume local traditional foods are automatically healthier than Western options; evaluate them by their nutritional content (fat, salt, calories).
ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
It is most likely, that the high consumption of foods rich in fat and calories and the sedentary lifestyle among communities in the EMR have played an important role in the rise of obesity. This is particularly true with the great shift from traditional foods to more westernized foods in these countries.
Why this rating
The paper is a systematic review of observational/cross-sectional studies, not RCTs, establishing association rather than causation.
Source
Overweight and Obesity in Eastern Mediterranean Region: Prevalence and Possible Causes
Abdulrahman O. Musaiger · Journal of Obesity · 2011
DOI 10.1155/2011/407237
systematic_reviewCited 459×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
More from this paper
- Regular consumption of fruit and vegetables is associated with a decreased risk of obesity in adults and children in the EMR.Moderate
- Urbanization is a major determinant of obesity in the EMR, associated with decreased physical activity and increased availability of high-fat foods.Moderate
- Skipping breakfast is associated with higher obesity rates among women in the EMR.Moderate
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