In the Middle East, obesity continues to be a major public health concern, affecting 31.4% of men and 54.2% of women. According to an analysis of the ANCORS-YW STUDY given at ACC Middle East 2024, women who are overweight or obese are more likely to have cardiovascular risk factors and hypertension than women with a normal BMI. To lower the burden of cardiovascular risk among young Middle Eastern women, the results emphasize the critical need for focused interventions that address socioeconomic determinants of health.
Young Middle Eastern women who are obese or overweight are facing a higher risk for the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and its associated risk factors like hypertension and Type Two diabetes.”
Mohammad Adnan Bani Baker, MD, medical doctor at Prince Hamza Hospital in Amman, Jordan
The incidence of cardiovascular risk factors linked to overweight in young Middle Eastern women was evaluated by the researchers using data from the ANCORS-YW study. In all, 626 people between the ages of 18 and 50 participated in the study. The participants’ average age was almost 42.9 years old. Medical students, residents, and health professionals assessed the participants. The authors were better able to comprehend the early emergence of cardiovascular risk factors linked to obesity in this life stage by concentrating on this group.
“This demographic is often underrepresented in global research and literature especially when it comes to the Middle East, despite the region’s high rates of obesity and cardiovascular disease. I was drawn to this topic because of the alarming rise in these conditions in Middle Eastern women, which poses a significant public health challenge,” Bani Baker said. “We hope that this study will bring attention and call for more targeted interventions to protect this vulnerable population.”
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According to the findings, women who were overweight or obese were more likely to have diabetes mellitus, hypertension, pregnancy-related hypertensive illness, and persistent weight gain after giving birth. Additionally, the study discovered that women who were overweight or obese were more likely to be older and less educated.
Bani Baker suggested a multidisciplinary strategy that consists of lifestyle modification programs, public health campaigns, educational initiatives, and socioeconomic support to lessen the cardiovascular risk load in this population. Programs for changing one’s lifestyle that are adapted to Middle Eastern cultural preferences would encourage a balanced diet and more exercise. Public health initiatives that increase knowledge of these cardiovascular risk factors would promote early identification and management of diabetes and hypertension in young Middle Eastern women.
Young women, particularly those with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, would be the target audience for the educational programs, which emphasize the importance of controlling weight both before and during pregnancy. According to Bani Baker, socioeconomic support should be offered during cardiovascular exams to assist women with lower incomes and educational levels in overcoming the obstacles they encounter while trying to get health treatment.
“Tailored preventive strategies, informed by gender-specific factors, are essential for achieving global cardiovascular health objectives,” Bani Baker said. “Our findings help health care providers to develop earlier prevention programs and raise awareness regarding the importance of weight management.”
