Oman
- Overview
- Obesity prevalence
- Trends over time
- Population breakdowns
- Drivers
- Comorbidities
- Health systems
- Actions
Obesity prevalence
Trends over time
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The report card collates all the most-recent graphics for this country. If you would like to produce a custom report based on selected graphics, just tap the Add to custom PDF button below the graphics you would like to use.Population breakdowns
Drivers
Insufficient activity
Soft drink consumption
Fruit consumption
Vegetable consumption
Fast food consumption
Processed meat consumption
Grains consumption
Depression
Anxiety
Roots of obesity »
Like all chronic diseases, the root causes/drivers of obesity are complex. Select here to view 'other' root causes/drivers.Comorbidities
Health systems
Obesity prevalence
Adults, 2017
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 6833 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Executive Summary. Oman National Non-Communicable Disease & their Risk Factors Survey 2017 https://mohcsr.gov.om/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Executive-Summary_NCDsurvey2017_En.pdf (last accessed 17.10.19) |
Notes: | STEPS |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Women, 2016-2017
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 15-49 |
Sample size: | 4159 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Oman National Nutrition Survey 2016-2017 http://groundworkhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ONNS_Report_2017.pdf (Accessed 04.09.20) |
Notes: | Omani citizens only. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2008
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 18+ |
Sample size: | 4717 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Riyami AA, Elaty MAA, Morsi M et al Oman World Health Survey: Part 1 - Methodology, Sociodemographic Profile and Epidemiology of Non-Communicable Diseases in Oman. Oman Medical Journal 2012; 27(5):425-443 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 2000
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20+ |
Sample size: | 6400 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Al-Lawati JA and Jousilahti PJ. (2004). Prevalence and 10 year secular trend of obesity in Oman. Saudi Medical Journal 25: 346 - 351. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Adults, 1991
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 20+ |
Sample size: | 5086 |
References: | Al-Lawati JA, Jousilahti PJ. Prevalence and 10year secular trend of obesity in Oman. Saudi Med J 2004;25:346-351 |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Children, 2015
Survey type: | Self-reported |
Age: | 13-17 |
Sample size: | 3468 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Global School-based Student Health Survey (GSHS), available at https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/gshs/2015_Oman_GSHS_Fact_Sheet.pdf?ua=1 (last accessed 14.12.20) |
Notes: | WHO cutoffs. |
Cutoffs: | WHO |
% Adults living with obesity in Oman 1991-2017
Men
Survey type: | Measured |
References: | 1991: Al-Lawati JA, Jousilahti PJ. Prevalence and 10year secular trend of obesity in Oman. Saudi Med J 2004;25:346-351 2000: Al-Lawati JA and Jousilahti PJ. (2004). Prevalence and 10 year secular trend of obesity in Oman. Saudi Medical Journal 25: 346 - 351. 2008: Riyami AA, Elaty MAA, Morsi M et al Oman World Health Survey: Part 1 - Methodology, Sociodemographic Profile and Epidemiology of Non-Communicable Diseases in Oman. Oman Medical Journal 2012; 27(5):425-443 2017: Executive Summary. Oman National Non-Communicable Disease & their Risk Factors Survey 2017 https://mohcsr.gov.om/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Executive-Summary_NCDsurvey2017_En.pdf (last accessed 17.10.19) |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
Women
Survey type: | Measured |
References: | 1991: Al-Lawati JA, Jousilahti PJ. Prevalence and 10year secular trend of obesity in Oman. Saudi Med J 2004;25:346-351 2000: Al-Lawati JA and Jousilahti PJ. (2004). Prevalence and 10 year secular trend of obesity in Oman. Saudi Medical Journal 25: 346 - 351. 2008: Riyami AA, Elaty MAA, Morsi M et al Oman World Health Survey: Part 1 - Methodology, Sociodemographic Profile and Epidemiology of Non-Communicable Diseases in Oman. Oman Medical Journal 2012; 27(5):425-443 2017: Executive Summary. Oman National Non-Communicable Disease & their Risk Factors Survey 2017 https://mohcsr.gov.om/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Executive-Summary_NCDsurvey2017_En.pdf (last accessed 17.10.19) |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
% Adults living with overweight or obesity in Oman 1991-2017
Men
Survey type: | Measured |
References: | 1991: Al-Lawati JA, Jousilahti PJ. Prevalence and 10year secular trend of obesity in Oman. Saudi Med J 2004;25:346-351 2000: Al-Lawati JA and Jousilahti PJ. (2004). Prevalence and 10 year secular trend of obesity in Oman. Saudi Medical Journal 25: 346 - 351. 2008: Riyami AA, Elaty MAA, Morsi M et al Oman World Health Survey: Part 1 - Methodology, Sociodemographic Profile and Epidemiology of Non-Communicable Diseases in Oman. Oman Medical Journal 2012; 27(5):425-443 2017: Executive Summary. Oman National Non-Communicable Disease & their Risk Factors Survey 2017 https://mohcsr.gov.om/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Executive-Summary_NCDsurvey2017_En.pdf (last accessed 17.10.19) |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
Women
Survey type: | Measured |
References: | 1991: Al-Lawati JA, Jousilahti PJ. Prevalence and 10year secular trend of obesity in Oman. Saudi Med J 2004;25:346-351 2000: Al-Lawati JA and Jousilahti PJ. (2004). Prevalence and 10 year secular trend of obesity in Oman. Saudi Medical Journal 25: 346 - 351. 2008: Riyami AA, Elaty MAA, Morsi M et al Oman World Health Survey: Part 1 - Methodology, Sociodemographic Profile and Epidemiology of Non-Communicable Diseases in Oman. Oman Medical Journal 2012; 27(5):425-443 2017: Executive Summary. Oman National Non-Communicable Disease & their Risk Factors Survey 2017 https://mohcsr.gov.om/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Executive-Summary_NCDsurvey2017_En.pdf (last accessed 17.10.19) |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². | |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
% Adults living with obesity in selected countries in the EMRO Region 1984-2017
Men
References: | 1984, 1998: Benjelloun S. Nutrition transition in Morocco. Public Health Nutrition. 2002;5(1A):135-140 1991: Al-Lawati JA, Jousilahti PJ. Prevalence and 10year secular trend of obesity in Oman. Saudi Med J 2004;25:346-351 1997: Sibai AM, Hwalla N, Adra N, Rahal B. Prevalence and Covariates of Obesity in Lebanon: Findings from the First Epidemiolgical Study. Obesity Research 203;11:1353-1361 2000: Al-Lawati JA and Jousilahti PJ. (2004). Prevalence and 10 year secular trend of obesity in Oman. Saudi Medical Journal 25: 346 - 351. 2002: WHO Infobase, Macro international data 2007: Jordan Population and Family Health Survey 2007 2008: Riyami AA, Elaty MAA, Morsi M et al Oman World Health Survey: Part 1 - Methodology, Sociodemographic Profile and Epidemiology of Non-Communicable Diseases in Oman. Oman Medical Journal 2012; 27(5):425-443 2009: WHO STEPS Report 2009 Lebanon 2011: WHO EMRO Egypt STEPS Survey 2011-12 2012: DHS Jordan 2012 2015: DHS Egypt 2015. Ministry of Health and Population/Egypt, El-Zanaty and Associates/Egypt, and ICF International. 2015. Egypt Health Issues Survey 2015. Cairo, Egypt: Ministry of Health and Population/Egypt and ICF International. - See more at: http://dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-FR313-DHS-Final-Reports.cfm#sthash.StgV9s6X.dpuf 2016: Egypt National STEPwise Survey For Noncommunicable Diseases Risk Factors Report 2017 https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/steps/Egypt_National_STEPwise_Survey_For_Noncommunicable_Diseases_Risk_Factors_2017_Report.pdf?ua=1 2017: Executive Summary. Oman National Non-Communicable Disease & their Risk Factors Survey 2017 https://mohcsr.gov.om/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Executive-Summary_NCDsurvey2017_En.pdf (last accessed 17.10.19) |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
Women
References: | 1984, 1998: Benjelloun S. Nutrition transition in Morocco. Public Health Nutrition. 2002;5(1A):135-140 1991: Al-Lawati JA, Jousilahti PJ. Prevalence and 10year secular trend of obesity in Oman. Saudi Med J 2004;25:346-351 1997: Sibai AM, Hwalla N, Adra N, Rahal B. Prevalence and Covariates of Obesity in Lebanon: Findings from the First Epidemiolgical Study. Obesity Research 203;11:1353-1361 2000: Al-Lawati JA and Jousilahti PJ. (2004). Prevalence and 10 year secular trend of obesity in Oman. Saudi Medical Journal 25: 346 - 351. 2002: WHO Infobase, Macro international data 2007: Jordan Population and Family Health Survey 2007 2008: Riyami AA, Elaty MAA, Morsi M et al Oman World Health Survey: Part 1 - Methodology, Sociodemographic Profile and Epidemiology of Non-Communicable Diseases in Oman. Oman Medical Journal 2012; 27(5):425-443 2009: WHO STEPS Report 2009 Lebanon 2011: WHO EMRO Egypt STEPS Survey 2011-12 2012: DHS Jordan 2012 2015: DHS Egypt 2015. Ministry of Health and Population/Egypt, El-Zanaty and Associates/Egypt, and ICF International. 2015. Egypt Health Issues Survey 2015. Cairo, Egypt: Ministry of Health and Population/Egypt and ICF International. - See more at: http://dhsprogram.com/publications/publication-FR313-DHS-Final-Reports.cfm#sthash.StgV9s6X.dpuf 2016: Egypt National STEPwise Survey For Noncommunicable Diseases Risk Factors Report 2017 https://www.who.int/ncds/surveillance/steps/Egypt_National_STEPwise_Survey_For_Noncommunicable_Diseases_Risk_Factors_2017_Report.pdf?ua=1 2017: Executive Summary. Oman National Non-Communicable Disease & their Risk Factors Survey 2017 https://mohcsr.gov.om/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Executive-Summary_NCDsurvey2017_En.pdf (last accessed 17.10.19) |
Different methodologies may have been used to collect this data and so data from different surveys may not be strictly comparable. Please check with original data sources for methodologies used. |
Overweight/obesity by age
Women, 2016-2017
Survey type: | Measured |
Sample size: | 4159 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Oman National Nutrition Survey 2016-2017 http://groundworkhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ONNS_Report_2017.pdf (Accessed 04.09.20) |
Notes: | Omani citizens only. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Overweight/obesity by socio-economic group
Women, 2016-2017
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 15-49 |
Sample size: | 4159 |
Area covered: | National |
References: | Oman National Nutrition Survey 2016-2017 http://groundworkhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ONNS_Report_2017.pdf (Accessed 04.09.20) |
Notes: | Omani citizens only. |
Unless otherwise noted, overweight refers to a BMI between 25kg and 29.9kg/m², obesity refers to a BMI greater than 30kg/m². |
Insufficient physical activity
Adults, 2016
References: | Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7 |
Men, 2016
References: | Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7 |
Women, 2016
References: | Guthold R, Stevens GA, Riley LM, Bull FC. Worldwide trends in insufficient physical activity from 2001 to 2016: a pooled analysis of 358 population-based surveys with 1.9 million participants. Lancet 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(18)30357-7 |
Children, 2010
Age: | 11-17 |
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893?lang=en |
Notes: | % of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. |
Definitions: | % Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate) |
Boys, 2010
Age: | 11-17 |
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893?lang=en |
Notes: | % of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. |
Definitions: | % Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate) |
Girls, 2010
Age: | 11-17 |
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A893?lang=en |
Notes: | % of school going adolescents not meeting WHO recommendations on Physical Activity for Health, i.e. doing less than 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity daily. |
Definitions: | % Adolescents insufficiently active (age standardised estimate) |
Average daily frequency of carbonated soft drink consumption
Children, 2009-2015
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 12-17 |
References: | Beal et al. (2019). Global Patterns of Adolescent Fruit, Vegetable, Carbonated Soft Drink, and Fast-food consumption: A meta-analysis of global school-based student health surveys. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572119848287 sourced from Food Systems Dashboard http://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org/food-system |
Estimated per capita fruit intake
Adults, 2017
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 25+ |
References: | Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/ |
Definitions: | Estimated per-capita fruit intake (g/day) |
Prevalence of less than daily fruit consumption
Children, 2008-2015
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 12-17 |
References: | Global School-based Student Health Surveys. Beal et al (2019). Global Patterns of Adolescent Fruit, Vegetable, Carbonated Soft Drink, and Fast-food consumption: A meta-analysis of global school-based student health surveys. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572119848287. Sourced from Food Systems Dashboard http://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org/food-system |
Definitions: | Prevalence of less-than-daily fruit consumption (% less-than-daily fruit consumption) |
Prevalence of less than daily vegetable consumption
Children, 2008-2015
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 12-17 |
References: | Beal et al. (2019). Global Patterns of Adolescent Fruit, Vegetable, Carbonated Soft Drink, and Fast-food consumption: A meta-analysis of global school-based student health surveys. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572119848287 sourced from Food Systems Dashboard http://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org/food-system |
Definitions: | Prevalence of less-than-daily vegetable consumption (% less-than-daily vegetable consumption) |
Average weekly frequency of fast food consumption
Children, 2009-2015
Age: | 12-17 |
References: | Beal et al. (2019). Global Patterns of Adolescent Fruit, Vegetable, Carbonated Soft Drink, and Fast-food consumption: A meta-analysis of global school-based student health surveys. Food and Nutrition Bulletin. https://doi.org/10.1177/0379572119848287 sourced from Food Systems Dashboard http://www.foodsystemsdashboard.org/food-system |
Estimated per-capita processed meat intake
Adults, 2017
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 25+ |
References: | Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/ |
Definitions: | Estimated per-capita processed meat intake (g per day) |
Estimated per capita whole grains intake
Adults, 2017
Survey type: | Measured |
Age: | 25+ |
References: | Global Burden of Disease, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation http://ghdx.healthdata.org/ |
Definitions: | Estimated per-capita whole grains intake (g/day) |
Mental health - depression disorders
Adults, 2015
References: | Prevalence data from Global Burden of Disease study 2015 (http://ghdx.healthdata.org) published in: Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. Geneva:World Health Organization; 2017. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. |
Definitions: | % of population with depression disorders |
Mental health - anxiety disorders
Adults, 2015
References: | Prevalence data from Global Burden of Disease study 2015 (http://ghdx.healthdata.org) published in: Depression and Other Common Mental Disorders: Global Health Estimates. Geneva:World Health Organization; 2017. Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO. |
Definitions: | % of population with anxiety disorders |
Oesophageal cancer
Men, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, oesophagus, adults ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, oesophagus, adults ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Breast cancer
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, breast, females, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Colorectal cancer
Men, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, colorectum, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, colorectum, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Pancreatic cancer
Men, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, pancreas, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, pancreas, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Gallbladder cancer
Men, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, gallbladder, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, gallbladder, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Kidney cancer
Men, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, kidney, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, kidney, adults, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Cancer of the uterus
Women, 2018
Age: | 20+ |
References: | Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer incidence rates http://gco.iarc.fr/ (last accessed 30th June 2020) |
Definitions: | Estimated age-standardized incidence rates (World) in 2018, cervix uteri, females, ages 20+. ASR (World) per 100,000 |
Raised blood pressure
Adults, 2015
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en |
Definitions: | Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90). |
Men, 2015
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en |
Definitions: | Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90). |
Women, 2015
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A875?lang=en |
Definitions: | Age Standardised estimated % Raised blood pressure 2015 (SBP>=140 OR DBP>=90). |
Raised cholesterol
Adults, 2008
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885 |
Definitions: | % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate). |
Men, 2008
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885 |
Definitions: | % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate). |
Women, 2008
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A885 |
Definitions: | % Raised total cholesterol (>= 5.0 mmol/L) (age-standardized estimate). |
Raised fasting blood glucose
Men, 2014
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A869?lang=en |
Definitions: | Age Standardised % raised fasting blood glucose (>= 7.0 mmol/L or on medication). |
Women, 2014
References: | Global Health Observatory data repository, World Health Organisation, http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A869?lang=en |
Definitions: | Age Standardised % raised fasting blood glucose (>= 7.0 mmol/L or on medication). |
Diabetes prevalence
Adults, 2017
References: | Reproduced with kind permission of IDF, International Diabetes Federation. IDF Diabetes Atlas, 8th edition. Brussels, Belgium: International Diabetes Federation, 2017. http://www.diabetesatlas.org |
Definitions: | Diabetes age-adjusted comparative prevalence (%). |
Health systems
Health systems summary
Oman is considered to have a universal health care system provided for by the Ministry of Health. Omani citizens (and expatriates who work in the public sector) have access to free at point of service care. Most non-Omani citizens have employer-provided health insurance and those that do not tend to pay for subsidised care.
Over recent years, government healthcare spending in Oman has risen dramatically, leading to the introduction of small, nominal fees for some appointments to help reduce demand and improve finances. Currently, out of pocket expenditure is estimated at 11.6% of total health expenditure. It is anticipated that there will eventually be the introduction of a national health insurance programme that will be administered by the Government. Plans for this were outlined in ‘Health Vision 2050’.
Indicators
Where is the country’s government in the journey towards defining ‘Obesity as a disease’? | Defined as disease |
Where is the country’s healthcare provider in the journey towards defining ‘Obesity as a disease’? | Defined as disease |
Is there specialist training available dedicated to the training of health professionals to prevent, diagnose, treat and manage obesity? | Some progress |
Have any taxes or subsidies been put in place to protect/assist/inform the population around obesity? | Yes |
Are there adequate numbers of trained health professionals in specialties relevant to obesity in urban areas? | Yes |
Are there adequate numbers of trained health professionals in specialties relevant to obesity in rural areas? | Some progress |
Are there any obesity-specific recommendations or guidelines published for adults? | No |
Are there any obesity-specific recommendations or guidelines published for children? | No |
In practice, how is obesity treatment largely funded? | Government |
Summary of stakeholder feedback
Stakeholders reported that the Ministry of Health is making efforts to address obesity. This includes investment in campaigns, initiatives and community programmes around healthy lifestyles. It was noted however, that there is more work to be done because obesity is still rising. Stakeholders felt that obesity could be better prevented by increasing opportunities for physical activity, increased regulation of unhealthy foods and more cross-sectoral collaboration.
In theory, the whole spectrum of obesity treatment is covered by government funding (for Omani citizens and expatriates working in public sector), apart from some medications. However, stakeholders reported long waiting lists for treatment, particularly in tertiary care at the sole tertiary obesity clinic at the National Diabetes and Endocrine Centre (NDEC). Despite this, it appears people go for government funded treatment unless they can afford to pay out of pocket or they have coverage through private insurance.
Oman has a national screening programme for those over 40 years of age. Stakeholders reported that when someone is screened and found to have a high BMI they are typically referred onto a dietician (and possibly a physician for medication). Other than screening, stakeholders claim that people only enter the system when they have co-morbidities, but even then they are not seen by truly multi-disciplinary teams at primary and secondary care. The sole tertiary centre (NDEC) only accepts referrals for those with a BMI of 40 with comorbidities.
There are reported to be no guidelines in place in Oman for the treatment and management of obesity. There is no widespread obesity training in place, but the NDEC is leading on providing training so that more obesity care can be provided at primary and secondary care level. This includes the training necessary to open 18 obesity clinics with multi-disciplinary teams across Oman and an obesity management fellowship.
Based on interviews/survey returns from 6 stakeholders
Last updated: June 2020