Press Release
Almost two-thirds of UAE residents are overweight or obese
•
•
New Body Mass Index (BMI) figures from Zurich International Life show 70% of
men are overweight or obese versus 41% of women
Egyptian and Jordanian residents in the UAE have the highest BMI; Chinese and
Filipino have the lowest
Dubai, UAE; May 26, 2015: Almost two-thirds of residents in the United Arab Emirates are either
overweight or obese according to statistics released today by Zurich International Life.
Zurich International Life analyzed the Body Mass Index (BMI) of more than 20,000 UAE residents who
have applied to purchase life insurance or critical illness cover with Zurich.
BMI is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly
used to classify underweight, overweight and obesity in
adults.
Zurich International Life found 47.5% of UAE residents are
overweight with a BMI between 25 and 30; and another
13% are obese with a BMI of over 30. The average BMI in
the UAE is 25.6; meaning the average UAE resident is
overweight.
BMI range (kg/m2)
15 or less
15 to 16
16 to 18.5
18.5 to 25
25 to 30
30 to 35
35 to 40
40 or more
Category
Very severely underweight
Severely underweight
Underweight
Normal (healthy weight)
Overweight
Moderately obese
(Obese Class I )
Severely obese
(Obese Class II)
Very severely obese
(Obese Class III)
Source: World Health Organization
“Body Mass Index is one of the health indicators we
measure as part of the application process for life insurance and critical illness cover,” explained Chris
Bagnall, Chief Underwriter at Zurich International Life.
“We want to share this BMI data to highlight the scale of obesity in the UAE and to raise awareness of
the health consequences of an unhealthy weight. The average age of our life insurance claimants is a
worryingly young age of 51 and a high BMI is associated with many of these claims.”
Zurich’s analysis shows gender has a significant impact on
BMI with 70% of men classified as either overweight or
obese versus 41% of women. The average BMI for a man
living in the UAE is overweight at 26.4, whereas the
average BMI for a woman is 24.2 and sits within the
healthy weight range.
A high BMI increases the risk of various health-related
problems. According to the World Health Organization, at
least 2.8 million people die each year due to being
overweight or obese.
BMI by Age in the UAE
Age
Average BMI
% Overweight
% Obese
20-24
25-29
30-34
35-39
40-44
45-49
50-54
55-59
60-64
23.8
24.3
25.1
25.7
26.2
26.5
26.5
27.1
27.6
28%
35%
43%
48%
52%
53%
54%
51%
61%
7%
8%
10%
13%
15%
18%
16%
22%
25%
Press Release
The data from Zurich International Life reveals 48% of the USD 47 million (AED 173 million) it has paid in
life insurance and critical illness claims in the Middle East over the past three years is linked to heartrelated diseases often caused by having a high BMI.
“A high BMI increases the risk of many health problems including cardiovascular diseases, mainly heart
disease, diabetes and some cancers. BMI is a simple method for understanding if you fall into the
overweight or obese categories and if you are susceptible to some of these health risks,” explained Dr.
Jacob Chacko Kuttickal, Specialist Cardiologist at the Prime Medical Center in Jumeirah, Dubai.
“However, overweight and obesity, as well as their
related diseases, are largely preventable. In extreme
circumstances, behavioral treatment and counseling,
medications, electric stimulus devices and bariatric
surgery are methods that can reduce obesity. But we
recommend people avoid these complications in the
first place by eating a healthier choice of foods and
taking regular physical activity.”
Nationalities with the Highest Average BMI in
the UAE
Rank
Nationality
Average BMI
1.
Egypt
27.60
2.
Jordan
27.15
3.
Bahrain
26.97
4.
UAE
26.54
5.
South Africa
26.51
6.
Syria
26.50
7.
USA
26.46
8.
Ireland
26.39
9.
Germany
26.38
10
UK
26.37
* Minimum of 100 applicants per group
% Overweight
/Obese
76.2%
76.8%
65.4%
62.9%
75.5%
72.0%
66.5%
69.7%
66.4%
66.9%
Age is another factor that influences BMI as obesity
creeps up on us as we get older. Zurich’s statistics
found 35% of UAE residents aged 20-24 were
overweight or obese, but that figure rises to 67% for
those aged 40-44. By the time UAE residents reach the 60-64 age bracket, 86% are either overweight or
obese - with one quarter classified as obese.
Zurich’s analysis also found nationality has a bearing
on BMI. The results show Egyptian (27.6) and
Jordanian (27.2) residents in the UAE have the
highest average BMI. More than three-quarters of
Egyptian and Jordanian residents were found to be
overweight or obese.
Nationalities with the Lowest Average BMI in
the UAE
Rank
Nationality
Average BMI
1.
China
23.00
2.
Philippines
24.34
3.
Italy
25.01
4.
France
25.10
5.
Bangladesh
25.17
* Minimum of 100 applicants per group
The nationality with the healthiest BMI is the
Chinese. The average BMI for a Chinese resident in
the UAE is 23 and only 27.3% were found to be overweight or obese.
% Overweight
/Obese
27.3%
42.8%
46.6%
51.9%
56.9%
-ENDSAbout the BMI Research from Zurich International Life:
Zurich International Life recorded the Body Mass Index (BMI) of 22,647 UAE residents as part of an application
disclosure or a medical that all applicants undergo when they apply to purchase life insurance or critical illness cover.
BMI is a simple index of weight-for-height that is commonly used to classify underweight, overweight and obesity in
adults.
Press Release
About Zurich Insurance Group:
Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich) is a leading multi-line insurer that serves its customers in global and local markets. With
more than 55,000 employees, it provides a wide range of general insurance and life insurance products and services.
Zurich’s customers include individuals, small businesses, and mid-sized and large companies, including multinational
corporations, in more than 170 countries. The Group is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, where it was founded in
1872. The holding company, Zurich Insurance Group Ltd (ZURN), is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and has a level I
American Depositary Receipt (ZURVY) program, which is traded over-the-counter on OTCQX. Further information about
Zurich is available at www.zurich.com.
For further information, please contact:
Sean McAllister
Head of Communications, Middle East
Zurich Insurance Group
Direct: +971 4 455 7552
Mobile: +971 56 175 3640
Email: [email protected]