Sunday March 3, 2024, 9:34 pm Health
“More than 50 percent of the population in Pakistan is currently overweight, leading to a number of very harmful diseases.” This was stated in a press statement issued by the partners of the Transform Pakistan campaign on the occasion of World Obesity Day.
According to recent studies, there is a direct correlation between the increasing trend of obesity in Pakistan and the widespread consumption of foods rich in trans fat. This harmful substance is commonly found in processed foods, dairy products, ghee and cooking oil.
Afshar Iqbal, Director of Communications and Advocacy, Pakistan Youth Change Advocates (PYCA), said, “World Health Organization statistics show that 58.1 percent of Pakistanis are overweight and 43.9 percent are obese. The estimated annual cost of obesity control in Pakistan in 2015 was PKR 428 billion.”
The press statement emphasized that in order to prevent the increase of obesity in Pakistan, the root causes that lead to this disease should be addressed. “There is a strong correlation between rising obesity rates and the prevalence of industrially produced trans fats in Pakistani food sources,” said Dr. Saba Amjad, CEO of HeartFile. Mr. Manoor Hussain, In-Country Coordinator, Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) added, “Trans fat is linked to a number of health problems, including obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and other metabolic disorders.”
“One of the most important measures to reduce the rising tide of obesity and related diseases in Pakistan is to introduce a mandatory regulatory framework by the government. Under such a framework, trans fat in all food items has to be restricted to 2 percent or less of total fat,” stressed Mr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Executive Director, Center for Peace and Development Initiative (CPDI).
The Ministry of National Health, which is also the sponsor of the Transform Pakistan campaign, is working with various government and non-government bodies, including the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA), to develop a government-led mandate to prevent trans fat. can be implemented soon. Dr. Khawaja Masood Ahmed, National Coordinator, Nutrition and National Fortification Alliance said, “In 2023, Pakistan has succeeded in regulating trans fat content in several food items, including cooking oil, banaspati ghee, bakery shortening and bakery goods. However, We are aware that many notable food items such as ultra-processed foods, dairy products such as chocolate and ice cream and street food are still outside the scope of this regulation. Committed to ensuring that all food items across Pakistan will soon come under a unified code to limit the prevalence of trans fat in our food sources.
Transform Pakistan calls for a common language for the general public and policy makers on the regulation of trans fat in Pakistani food sources. It aims to reduce the burden on the country’s public health indicators such as non-communicable diseases and associated obesity.