Health and nutritional profile for adolescent girls in the GCC countries

Abstract EN

-Studies of adolescent girls in this region demonstrate a number of health and nutritional problems.

Iron deficiency anaemia is the main problem among adolescents in all socio-economic groups.

Also a major concern is inadequate energy intake leading to underweight among a relatively high percentage of these girls.

At the same time the prevalence of obesity in adolescent girls has increased, suggesting a predisposing factor for chronic disease such as heart disease, diabetes and hypertension.

One of the main reasons for the increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity among teenage girls are intake of foods high in energy and fat, lack of physical exercise and sedentary lifestyle.

Such chronic diseases are the main causes of death in the region, and thus any programme to prevent and control these diseases should start with children and adolescents.