UAE sleepwalking into health crisis with 96 per cent consuming too much salt

Millions of UAE residents could be sleepwalking into a health crisis after a national survey found that 60 per cent of people did not exercise enough and 96 per cent ate too much salt.

A survey of 20,000 households also found that 56 per cent of those who took part ate too much fat, while 27 per cent exceeded the recommended daily sugar intake.

Recommended levels of salt intake are lower than 5g per day, with a typical fast food meal of burger and chips containing around 3.5g and an average medium-size pizza loaded with 10g of salt.

The first National Nutrition Survey is likely to set alarm bells ringing with health authorities, although it revealed a 2.4 per cent fall in the number of smokers.

The survey examined dietary patterns among adults aged 18 to 69, but did not reveal figures for vaping or e-cigarette use.

Dr Hussain Al Rand, assistant undersecretary for public health at the Ministry of Health and Prevention, said the results should be used for guidance towards healthier food choices.

“These findings will guide the development of innovative health programmes, expanded preventive screening, and clear health messaging aimed at empowering individuals to make healthier daily choices,” he said.

“They can be used in supporting a society where health and quality of life are protected and sustained.”

Data was collected in face-to-face interviews using multiple language questionnaires approved by the World Health Organisation. Of those who took part, 40 per cent were Emiratis and 60 per cent overseas residents.

In total, 22 per cent were obese, and one in four people had high blood pressure, often a result of a diet high in salt and fat, and sedentary lifestyle.

Long term problem

Nouf Khamis Al Ali, director of the Health Promotion Department at the Ministry of Health and Prevention, said obesity is a long-term problem that requires long-term answers.

“Obesity needs time to to be solved,” she said. “The high consumption of salt and sugar, again, explains the current situation we are facing when it comes to non-communicable disease.

“High sugar and high fat are two real issues here. If we want to tackle that, first we need to understand what people eat and what food items are really contributing to the high intake of salt, sugar and fat.

“This information will help us to better decide how we want to move forward and what strategies could help.”

While a flat-rate sugar tax on soft drinks was introduced in 2017, a new pricing system from January 1 links the tax rate directly to the level of sugar content per 100ml of beverage.

Drinks with five and eight grams of sugar per 100ml will be taxed at 79 fils (Dh0.79) per litre, while those containing 8g or more of sugar per 100ml will be subject to a tax of Dh1.09 per litre.

“Sugar taxation has already started, which is really focusing on reducing the intake of sugar, this strategy is really effective in reducing consumption,” said Ms Al Ali.